Department for Transport

Railways: Wales

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of infrastructure spending on the Network Rail Wales route.

Andrew Jones: Throughout Control Period 5, covering the years 2014-2019, £900m has been invested by Network Rail in the rail network in Wales. Network Rail’s proposed investment for the rail network in Wales during Control Period 6, covering the period from 2019 to 2024, is £1.34bn. The Welsh Government also now have responsibility for franchising rail services in Wales, and franchises bring investment. For example, the new Transport for Wales franchise will recruit an additional 600 members of staff, and invest £194m in station improvements.

South Wales Railway Line

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the difference between Intercity Express Train service speeds on Network Rail routes between (a) Bristol and London and (b) the Severn Tunnel and Swansea.

Andrew Jones: Intercity Express Train services between Bristol and London have a maximum line speed of up to 125mph, as opposed to 90mph between the Severn Tunnel and Swansea. South Wales benefits from the £5bn investment in the Great Western route.

Railways: Wales

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of giving the Welsh Government shared oversight over the specification and operation of all rail franchises operating in Wales.

Andrew Jones: During 2018 the Welsh rail devolution arrangements were further strengthened in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Devolution in Wales (the Silk Commission). In the lead up to this, the need for closer working between the Department and the Welsh Government in respect of cross-border services of franchises specified and managed by the Department was fully recognised and agreed. These arrangements are set out in sections 7 and 8 of the Co-operation and Collaboration Agreement between the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers published on 11 September 2018.

London North Eastern Railway: Rail Gourmet Holding

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether London North Eastern Railway sets the rates of pay for staff that are employed under its Rail Gourmet contract.

Andrew Jones: Rail Gourmet sets the rates of pay for its own staff.

London North Eastern Railway: Rail Gourmet Holding

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many contracts London North Eastern Railway holds with Rail Gourmet; and what the cost to the public purse is of each of those contracts.

Andrew Jones: LNER has one contract in place with Rail Gourmet; for catering logistics and product supply. While there is an element of fixed cost in this contract, most of the spend under the terms of this contract is driven by the amount of products (food and drink) LNER orders from Rail Gourmet. The value of these contracts is commercially sensitive as it could well impact a proposal an alternative supplier would put forwards when next this contract goes through a competitive tender exercise. This could then reduce funds returned by LNER to the tax payer.

Rail Gourmet Holding: Industrial Relations

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the industrial relations of Rail Gourmet.

Andrew Jones: This is a local dispute over a breakdown in industrial relations between a private employer in the rail catering business and its catering employees who are members of the RMT. It is not appropriate for the Secretary of State to make any assessment and is for the parties concerned to resolve.

London North Eastern Railway: Rail Gourmet Holding

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for  Transport, what steps London North Eastern Railway has taken to assess whether Rail Gourmet follow appropriate bullying and harassment policies.

Andrew Jones: This contract commenced before LNER began operating on the East Coast Main Line. LNER policy is to undertake detailed checks to ensure all relevant policies are in place before we enter into contracts with suppliers. This includes ensuring suppliers accept our code of conduct which includes bullying and harassment.

Department for Transport: Staff

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the agreed budgeted FTE figure is for (a) his Department and (b) its agencies.

Jesse Norman: In response to your request, the agreed budgeted FTE figure for the Department and its agencies (the Driver Vehicle & Licensing Agency, the Driver & Vehicle Services Agency, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the Vehicle Certification Agency) is as follows:End of Financial Year 18/19Budgeted FTEDfTc 2676MCA1114.2VCA203.7DVSA4648DVLA5387.5 The figures represent employees and do not include contractors and other non-payroll employees.

Department for Transport: Staff

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what additional funding for staff (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have received from EU exit funding.

Chris Grayling: Since 2016 the Department has received funding of £79.7m from HM Treasury for EU Exit contingency programmes. Of this funding, £12m covered the Department’s staffing and legal costs. Executive agency staff costs are included in the overall EU Exit contingency programme funding..

Roads: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what protections there are to protect areas of outstanding natural beauty against new road building.

Jesse Norman: The National Networks National Policy Statement (NPS) sets out Government’s policies to deliver development of nationally significant infrastructure projects on the national road and rail networks in England. It is the basis for examination of schemes by an independent inspector and decisions by the Secretary of State.As set out in the NPS, there is a strong presumption against any significant road widening or the building of new roads in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), unless it can be shown there are compelling reasons for the new or enhanced capacity and with any benefits outweighing the costs significantly. AONB designated areas have a specific statutory purpose that helps ensure their continued protection and which the Secretary of State has a statutory duty to have regard to in decisions.Further protections for AONB are set out in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and Defra’s English national parks and the broads: UK government vision and circular 2010 or successor documents.

Roads: St Helens

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding his Department has allocated to St Helens Council to repair potholes in each year since 2010.

Jesse Norman: St Helens Council is a constituent member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Since 2015 highway maintenance block funding has been paid directly to Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The funding provided by the Department for Transport for highway maintenance, including pothole repair, to St Helens Council since 2010 is shown in the table attached.



Table which is mentioned in the above answer 
(Word Document, 12.7 KB)

Motorways: Noise

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of reducing noise emissions from motorways by reducing speed limits; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: Noise is a Key Performance Indicator for Highways England. They are working to reduce people’s exposure to road noise by considering measures such as barriers, road resurfacing and insulation at locations with the highest noise levels and delivering these through major projects, maintenance work and their designated environment fund. Reducing speed limits is not one of the measures.While reducing speed limits on motorways can reduce noise for those nearby, it can also have unintended consequences. Some traffic may be diverted to less suitable roads in more built-up areas, where loud noise could be experienced by more people. Even at lower speeds, noise effects can be greater off the motorway network, as roads tend to be closer to homes.Highways England’s approach reduces the noise which people experience near some of the busiest motorways while retaining existing speed limits on these important arterial routes, speed limits that reflect drivers’ experience and expectations for longer-distance journeys.

Midlands Connect

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Midlands Connect on its proposed expressway from Leicestershire to Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The A46 corridor connects together Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire. This is one of the corridors identified by Midlands Connect - the sub national transport body for the Midlands - as of key strategic importance. With funding from the Department, Midlands Connect is currently conducting a detailed study into the potential for development of the A46, which it believes could play an important role in improving pan-regional connectivity and relieving congestion on motorways in the West Midlands. The Department is monitoring this study closely.

Driving: Diabetes

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the DVLA on testing blood glucose levels using flash and continuous glucose monitoring technology for the purposes of assessing fitness to drive; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is currently amending the Assessing Fitness to Drive guidance on the use of new monitoring technologies for people with diabetes. The revised guidance is due to be published in February. This will allow the testing of interstitial fluid for driving licensing purposes for people with diabetes who drive cars or motorcycles. Drivers of goods vehicles and buses must continue to monitor blood glucose levels.

Driving: Diabetes

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress the Driving Vehicle Licensing Agency is making to update its guidance on the use of new monitoring technologies for people with diabetes.

Jesse Norman: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is currently amending the Assessing Fitness to Drive guidance on the use of new monitoring technologies for people with diabetes. The revised guidance is due to be published in February. This will allow the testing of interstitial fluid for driving licensing purposes for people with diabetes who drive cars or motorcycles. Drivers of goods vehicles and buses must continue to monitor blood glucose levels.

Channel Ferries: Freight

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2019 to Question 208869 on Channel Ferries: Freight, how many companies have made representations to the Government.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: We have received a small number of representations, in confidence, from other freight operators.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Retail Sector Council

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how often the Retail Sector Council meets; and whether the dates of these meetings are in the public domain.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Retail Sector Council meets approximately three times a year. They first met in March, then June and November of 2018. Their next meeting is scheduled for February. The UK retail sector is one of the largest employers in the country, with a workforce of over three million and accounting for around 5.1% of economic output with sales of nearly £360 billion in 2017. The latest ONS retail briefing shows that for the whole of 2018, retail sales in terms of quantity bought increased by 2.7% and Total Retail sales in 2018 increased to £368bn in 2018, an increase of 3%, but we and the Council recognise that the sector faces some key challenges. The Council is prioritising its work to address the key challenges facing the sector and will initially focus on; costs to business, skills and lifelong learning, employment protection, consumer protection, the circular economy and the Industrial Strategy. The priority areas were selected by the industry and each workstream will be led by a senior industry figure.

Energy: Debts

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the total debts owed by domestic energy suppliers that have ceased trading in each year since 2010.

Claire Perry: The debts from a company that ceases to trade are matter for the company, their creditors and, in the case of insolvency, the appointed administrators. The Department is not in a position, therefore, to be able to estimate these debts. Ofgem, the sector regulator, deals with any unpaid industry obligations, working with administrators as necessary. Ofgem also operates the Supplier of Last Resort process that has been put in place by the Government. This ensures that customers do not experience any disruption to their supply when a company ceases trading, and limits the impact on the wider market.

Electronic Tagging: Testing

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will bring forward legislative proposals on the testing of microchips intended for implantation in humans.

Kelly Tolhurst: Holding answer received on 23 January 2019



Products made available on the UK market are required to be safe. The Department has no plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the testing of microchips intended for implantation in humans.

Maternity and Paternity Leave: Childbirth

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans the Government has to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that parents whose babies are born prematurely are allowed an extra week of statutory maternity or paternity leave for every week their child spends in hospital before they are allowed to go home.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Department is conducting a short, focussed internal review of the provisions for parents of premature babies and sick babies and those that experience multiple births. The purpose of this work is to obtain a high-level understanding of the barriers to participating in the labour market that these parents can face. It would not be appropriate to announce future policy without first establishing an appropriate evidence base.BEIS officials are working with organisations who represent the interests of these parents (The Smallest Things, Bliss, and TAMBA) to better understand the issues that parents can face and have also held focus groups with a small number of parents themselves.This will inform our policy consideration.

Natural Gas: Russia

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Answer of 12 September 2016 to Question HL1673, what proportion of the UK's gas supply comes from Russia.

Claire Perry: The UK has high levels of gas security from a diverse supply mix including storage facilities; pipelines from Norway, Netherlands and Belgium; and Liquified Natural Gas terminals. This is in addition to domestic production which accounted for 47 per cent of gas supply in 2017 (the most recent year for which full data is available). Russian gas accounted for less than 1 per cent of total UK gas supply in 2017. Full data for 2018 will be published in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) in July 2019.

Natural Gas: Imports

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, from which countries the UK imports gas; and what proportion of the UK gas supply each of those countries exports to the UK.

Claire Perry: This is publicly available information which can be found online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/natural-gas-chapter-4-digest-of-united-kingdom-energy-statistics-dukes.

Post Offices: Closures

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his Department’s policy is on the provision of postal services where a post office has closed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government recognises the critical role that post offices play in communities and for small businesses across the UK. This is why the Government committed to safeguard the post office network and protect existing rural services. The overall number of post offices across the UK remains at its most stable in decades with over 11,500 branches thanks to significant Government investment of over £2 billion since 2010. While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business. The provision of services and branch closures are operational matters for Post Office Limited. Paula Vennells, the Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the hon Member on this matter. A copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Fireworks: Regulation

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Office for Product Safety and Standards is taking to review fireworks regulations.

Kelly Tolhurst: I have asked the Office for Product Safety and Standards to ensure we have the right evidence on firework safety and to commission new evidence where that is necessary. This will ensure we have a thorough understanding of the issues surrounding the safe sale and use of fireworks.

Hitachi: Wylfa Power Station

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on what date the Government was made aware that Hitachi was considering withdrawing from the Wylfa Newydd project.

Richard Harrington: The Government received notification of the Hitachi board decision on 17 January.

Jaguar Land Rover: Trade Unions

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent (a) discussions and (b) meetings (i) he, (ii) Ministers of his Department and (iii) officials of his Department have had with trade unions representing employees of Jaguar Land Rover.

Richard Harrington: My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and I met with Unite the Union alongside MPs on 10 January to discuss Jaguar Land Rover. The Secretary of State also met with trade unions on 14 January as part of a discussion regarding Jaguar Land Rover and its importance to the local and national economy, alongside the company, local MPs and other representatives from the Midlands and the North West. I also met with Unite the Union and JLR CEO at the last Auto Council on 15 November. At each of these meetings, Departmental officials were also present. The recent job losses announced by Jaguar Land Rover are concerning for the affected employees and we will do all we can to support them. We are working closely with the company to ensure that their plans to streamline the business can safeguard a bright future for them in the UK, including through the Jaguar Land Rover Development Partnership. We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive and other advanced manufacturing.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Yemen: Peace Negotiations

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the merits of participation by women’s organisations in the UN-led peace consultations on Yemen.

Alistair Burt: We continue to advocate actively for the inclusion of women in the Yemeni peace process and encourage political actors to take women’s views into account. Through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) we support projects with UN Women which aim to increase Yemeni women’s capacity to influence political/conflict actors and the peace process, including through the Yemeni Women Pact. CSSF projects also support the inclusion of women in Track II political dialogue, and in local peacebuilding initiatives. During last month’s peace talks in Stockholm, UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths invited eight women, representing different political parties, civil society, activists and development workers in Yemen, to assist him during negotiations. Our Embassy also used our social media accounts in the run up to Stockholm to encourage the parties to include women in their delegations.​

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the progress on reopening the Sanaa-Hodeidah road in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Since it came into effect in Hodeidah on 18 December, the fragile ceasefire has continued to hold and there has been a general de-escalation by both sides around the city. We are aware of reports of frontline incidents and skirmishing but these remain low. We urge all parties to support and facilitate the UN’s efforts and to implement the redeployment of forces in Hodeidah as agreed during the Stockholm talks. We welcome the arrival of General Patrick Cammaert, Head of the UN Redeployment Coordination Committee, and welcome the UK-drafted UN Security Council Resolution 2452 establishing a six month UN mission to monitor the Hodeidah ceasefire.​

Paul Whelan

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance his Department has provided to Paul Whelan and his family following his detention in Russia.

Sir Alan Duncan: Foreign & Commonwealth Office officials sought access to Mr Whelan on 3 January after being informed by the Russian Authorities and the US Embassy in Moscow that he was a British national. We are in regular contact with the Russian Government to push for consular access, most recently on 21 January. We are working closely with the US, Canadian and Irish Embassies in Moscow, who also have a consular responsibility for Mr Whelan, to ensure a co-ordinated approach to Mr Whelan’s health and wellbeing. We are in touch with Mr Whelan’s family.

Yemen: Peace Negotiations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to meet UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths before the next round of peace talks on Yemen.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign Secretary and UN Special Envoy talk regularly. The UK has played a leading role in diplomatic efforts, working closely with the UN Special Envoy. The timing and location of the next round of talks has not yet been confirmed, but we urge the parties to co-operate with the Special Envoy in this and act in good faith to implement the agreements made in Stockholm. The UK remains closely engaged and stands ready to provide further support.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Pay

Gareth Snell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on the rate of remuneration for (a) cleaners, (b) security guards and (c) catering staff in his Department in (i) Greater London and (ii) outside Greater London.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office can confirm that the minimum rate of remuneration for Cleaners, Guards and Catering staff in London is the London Living Wage (£10.20 ph). Outside London the minimum rate of remuneration for Cleaners and Catering staff is the National Living Wage (£7.83 ph). For Security Guards outside London the rate of remuneration is £9.30 ph, exceeding the UK Living Wage.​

Mukhtar Ablyazov

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Khazakstani counterpart on the former banker Mukhtar Ablyazov who is accused of murder.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign Secretary has not discussed the case of Mr Ablyazov with the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan. Illicit finance is a global problem and we are committed to working with international partners, particularly through the EU, G7 and G20 to ensure we protect our prosperity and security. As the Prime Minister said in the House of Commons on 14 March 2018, “We will continue to bring all the capabilities of UK law enforcement to bear against serious criminals and corrupt elites. There is no place for these people - or their money - in our country”.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations has he made to the Government of Zimbabwe in relation to the political situation in that country; and what guidance he has issued to officials from his Department in that country on official contact with the Zimbabwean President.

Harriett Baldwin: On 17 January, I summoned the Zimbabwean Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to highlight our concern at the ongoing situation in Zimbabwe. We call on the Zimbabwean Government to stop disproportionate use of force by the security forces, investigate any cases of alleged human rights abuses and reinstate full internet access.I have issued no guidance to Foreign and Commonwealth Officials on official contact with President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.

Greece: Macedonia

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has held with his counterparts in the Governments of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the Prespa Agreement, and if he will make a statement.

Sir Alan Duncan: I welcome the vote earlier this month by the parliament in Skopje to complete constitutional change in line with the Prespa Agreement, and the intention of the Greek Government to ratify shortly. The British Government fully supports the Agreement, which will bring greater stability and prosperity to the region. I have been in regular contact with representatives of both governments to set out our position, including with Prime Minister Zaev and Foreign Minister Dimitrov during my visit to Skopje last September and by phone.

UN Convention against Torture

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the UN on the Government's commitment to combat torture in advance of the UN's forthcoming review of Vietnam's implementation of the UN Convention against Torture.

Mark Field: The UK unreservedly condemns the use of torture. As a consequence we work closely with international partners, including the United Nations, to eradicate this abhorrent practice. The Committee Against Torture published its concluding observations on Vietnam in December 2018. Whilst we note that progress has been made in some areas we remain concerned regarding the use of torture, particularly in places of detention.We raised the issue of torture during Vietnam’s Universal Periodic Review on 22 January 2019, including on how the Government of Vietnam will address the findings of the Committee Against Torture report. Further, in our national statement we recommended that Vietnam draw up and publish a national plan of action, implementing the recommendations contained in the December report.We will continue to make our concerns known to the Vietnamese Government at the most senior level. I raised our concerns over the findings of the Committee Against Torture and stressed the importance of upholding the highest standards of human rights, with the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs during my recent visit to Hanoi earlier this month.

Attorney General

Bhanu Choudhrie and Sudhir Choudhrie

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Attorney General, what representations the Serious Fraud Office has received on (a) Sudhir Choudhrie, (b) Bhanu Choudrie and (c) other related parties.

Robert Buckland: The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is aware of the allegations made publicly about Sudhir and Bhanu Choudhrie. The SFO can neither confirm nor deny if Sudhir or Bhanu Choudhrie are currently subject to investigation by the SFO, or what, if any, representations the SFO has received about them. In order to protect the investigative process it is not always possible, or even desirable for investigative bodies to confirm whether or not an individual or organisation is subject to an investigation, or provide any details of matters under investigation. The SFO proactively publishes information about its cases on its website whenever it is appropriate.

Department of Health and Social Care

Mental Health Services: Children

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding has been allocated to training for professionals working with child mental health in North Herefordshire constituency in each of the last five years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information is not available in the format requested.

Mental Health Services

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his timetable is for bringing forward legislative proposals on mental health care.

Jackie Doyle-Price: We welcome the publication of final report of the independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983, which was commissioned by the Prime Minister. The Government will consider the report and its recommendations in detail and respond in due course. We remain committed to reforming mental health law and have committed to develop and bring forward legislation when Parliamentary time allows. We have already accepted two of the recommendations of the review; the establishment of new statutory advance choice documents, so that people’s wishes and preferences carry far more legal weight, and the creation of a new role of ‘nominated person’ to be chosen by the patient to replace the current nearest relative provisions. This will support the review’s overall purpose of increasing patient rights and improving the way the Act works for people.

Mental Health Services

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many adults in receipt of mental health services have (a) speech, language and communication needs and (b) dysphagia.

Jackie Doyle-Price: At the end of October 2018, there were 4,224 people aged 18 and over recorded as having a speech related disability in contact with National Health Service funded secondary mental health services. Information on the number of adults in contact with mental health services who have dysphagia is not collected centrally.

Mental Health Services: Waiting Lists

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 69 of the NHS Long Term Plan, whether the four-week waiting time target for adults and older adults community mental health teams will be between referral and assessment or referral and treatment.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the four-week waiting time target for adult and older adult community mental health teams on page 69 of the NHS Long Term Plan, what grade of healthcare professional will have responsibility for the (a) assessment and (b) treatment of those people seeking such care.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The NHS Long Term Plan commits to “test four-week waiting times for adult and older adult community mental health teams, with selected local areas”. This will form part of wider testing of new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care, as set out in the Long Term Plan. Testing will inform the development and establishment of future standards, and will consider the most clinically appropriate clock start and clock stop points, interventions and responsible professionals. This will take into account access, quality of care, patient experience and outcomes. NHS England will then set clear standards for patients requiring access to community mental health treatment and roll them out across the National Health Service over the next decade.

Medical Equipment: Regulation

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to improve the regulation of medical devices following recent public concern about patient safety.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government is committed to the safe and effective regulation of medical devices in the United Kingdom; we continue to strengthen safety while ensuring patients and the public have fast access to new, innovative devices. While the Government considers the existing regulatory framework to be fundamentally sound, it has been instrumental in securing tougher regulations for medical devices across the European Union. The new EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR), which fully applies from May 2020, maintain the strengths of the existing regulatory system, of which rapid access to market for new devices is a key aspect, whilst addressing the acknowledged weaknesses in the system. These include improving the standard and consistency of Notified Bodies, enhancing vigilance and post-market safety surveillance systems and improving the consistency of implementation of medical device legislation across the EU. In the interim, steps have been taken to place more stringent requirements upon manufacturers. In 2016, a new guidance document was published on clinical evaluation. This sets out clearly the need to strengthen the clinical evidence on which a device is CE-marked. The information is available at the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/17522/attachments/1/translations/ The MDR has further built on these expectations by introducing a higher threshold for clinical evidence before devices are allowed to be used in patients. This will result in a significant strengthening of the regulatory framework and addresses a number of the concerns raised by the public around patient safety.

Mental Health: Employment

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prioritise mental health and wellbeing in the work place.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government responded to Thriving at Work: Stevenson/Farmer Review of mental health and employers in the command paper ‘Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability’ which was published on 30 November 2017. The joint Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care Work and Health Unit is now overseeing progress across 40 recommendations that range from short term deliverables to longer term reform. Its central recommendation identified the need for employers to adopt a comprehensive set of mental health standards. The Government is committed to working with the authors of the review and key stakeholders across the public, private and voluntary sectors to ensure that employers of all sizes act to implement the core and enhanced standards and help them, and their employees, realise the benefits of healthy, inclusive workplaces. Following the Prime Minister’s acceptance of the recommendations that apply to the Civil Service and NHS England as major employers, both organisations have made progress in implementing these. The National Health Service is implementing the mental health standards through the new single NHS Workforce Health and Wellbeing Framework, which was published on 16 May 2018 and shared with NHS organisations. The Civil Service has benchmarked all main Government departments and their agencies/non-Departmental Public Bodies against the core and enhanced mental health standards to identify best practice and areas requiring further action.

Integrated Care Systems

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 1.55 of the NHS Long Term Plan, what the timeframe is for the (a) development and (b) implementation of the new integration index; which organisations he plans to consult the development of that index; and what criteria his Department plans to use to determine the metrics to be included in that index.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 1.55 on page 31 of the NHS Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, when the development of the integration index will begin; which organisations will be consulted on the development of that index; what criteria will be used to determine metrics for inclusion in the index; when the index will be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: The integration ‘index’, which will be developed jointly with patient groups and the voluntary sector, will form part of a new accountability and performance framework for integrated care systems to provide a simpler, consistent set of performance measures. Further information will be set out in the Implementation Framework for the Long Term Plan, due to be published in the spring.

NHS: Standards

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the NHS Long Term Plan, if he will publish the (a) terms of reference and (b) membership of the NHS Clinical Standards Review; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the NHS Long Term Plan, what discussions his Department plans to hold with (a) healthcare professionals; (b) NHS providers; (c) charities; (d) patients and (e) the public in relation to the NHS Clinical Standards Review.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the NHS Long Term Plan, whether there will be a consultation on the recommendations of the NHS Clinical Standards Review before its publication in Spring 2019.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the NHS Long Term Plan, whether an impact assessment will be (a) conducted and (b) published as part of the clinical standards review.

Stephen Hammond: The clinically-led review of standards was announced by the Prime Minister in June 2018. The review is considering the appropriateness of operational standards for physical and mental health relating to planned, unplanned urgent or emergency care, as well as cancer. The Long Term Plan provides a platform upon which innovative models of patient care can and are being developed. In that context, the National Health Service’s National Medical Director has been working with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Healthwatch England and many others to consider what matters most to patients, on the clinical issues with the current target regime, and what NHS staff believe will help them provide the best quality care for patients. The review will report its interim findings in the spring of 2019, after which any recommended changes will be carefully field tested across the NHS, before they are implemented. An impact assessment will be published, and changes to the NHS Constitution will be consulted on as is legally required.

Eating Disorders

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 3.92 of the NHS Long Term Plan, whether four-week waiting time targets for community mental health teams will include services for adults with eating disorders.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 3.92 in the NHS Long Term Plan, when four-week waiting time targets for community mental health teams will begin.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The NHS Long Term Plan commits to “test four-week waiting times for adult and older adult community mental health teams, with selected local areas”. This will form part of wider testing of new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care, as set out in the Long Term Plan. Testing will inform the development and establishment of future standards, and will consider the most clinically appropriate clock start and clock stop points, interventions and responsible professionals. This will take into account access, quality of care, patient experience and outcomes. The National Health Service will then set clear standards for patients requiring access to community mental health treatment and roll them out across the NHS over the next decade.

Department of Health and Social Care: Pay

Gareth Snell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the rate of remuneration for (a) cleaners, (b) security guards and (c) catering staff in his Department in (i) Greater London and (ii) outside Greater London.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department does not directly employ cleaners, security staff or catering staff. Specific rates of pay are a matter for each individual contractor, as the employer, but assurances are provided to ensure full compliance with the requirements of the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage. The rates of pay for staff varies according to role, region and experience and have the following ranges:- Catering staff from £7.83 to £11.12- Cleaning staff from £8.75 to £9.95- Security staff from £9.22 to £9.98

Health Services: Older People

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking as part of the NHS Long Term Plan to ensure that there is an adequate number of staff to provide treatment for elderly people.

Stephen Hammond: The NHS Long Term Plan, published 7 January 2019, sets out a vital strategic framework to ensure that over the next 10 years the National Health Service will have the staff it needs so that nurses and doctors have the time they need to care for all patients, including elderly people. Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has commissioned Baroness Dido Harding, working closely with Sir David Behan, to lead a number of programmes to engage with key NHS interests to develop a detailed workforce implementation plan. These programmes will consider detailed proposals to grow the workforce, including consideration of additional staff and skills required, build a supportive working culture in the NHS and ensure first rate leadership for NHS staff. This will include work to ensure doctors are trained with the generalist skills needed to meet the needs of an ageing population, alongside the development of specialist knowledge and skills and expanding multi-professional credentialing to enable clinicians to develop new capabilities in issues such as an ageing population. The workforce required to provide treatment for elderly people comprises a range of healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses. We are already increasing nurse training places by 25% - that is 5,000 additional nurse training places available every year from September 2018. In 2018 up to 5,000 Nursing Associates commenced training through the apprentice route and the Department has a commitment to train up to a further 7,500 in 2019. We have also made a commitment to have 5,000 additional doctors in general practice and we have started to roll out an extra 1,500 medical school places for domestic students, with the first 630 places taken up in September 2018. Furthermore, the NHS has seen the emergence and increased use of new professional roles within multi-disciplinary teams, such as physician associates (PAs), as part of a continuing drive to provide safe, accessible and high-quality care for patients. There will be 1,000 more PAs available in primary care by 2020 as part of a wider commitment to make available 10,000 health care professionals in primary care within this timeframe.

Social Services: Older People

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to increase the social care packages for elderly people.

Caroline Dinenage: All councils have statutory duties to meet the social care needs of elderly, disabled and vulnerable people in their area, and it is for councils to decide how to meet those needs. The Government has given councils access to up to £3.6 billion more dedicated funding for adult social care in 2018-19 and up to £3.9 billion for 2019-20.

Patients' Rights

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of patients that used the NHS personalised care model in (a) 2016, (b) 2017 and (c) 2018.

Caroline Dinenage: The comprehensive model for personalised care is made up of six key components:- Patient Choice;- Patient Activation;- Social Prescribing;- Shared decision making;- Personalised care and support planning; and- Personal health budgets. This is a new model which was developed through the Integrated Personal Commissioning and Empowering People and Communities programmes. The components were tested in 2017/18 across 21 demonstrator sites, who reported 180,000 personalised care interventions for 2017/18. Sites are now rolling out the model and in Q2 2018/19 reported 280,000 personalised care interventions. The intention, as set in the NHS Long Term Plan, is to roll out beyond demonstrator sites to reach 2.5 million people by 2023/24. There is a national data collection for personal health budgets. The number of people with a personal health budget was:- 15,811 in 2016/17;- 28,040 in 2017/18; and- 32,341 in 2018/19 (latest figure from Q2).

Drugs: Shortages

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to (a) monitor and (b) mitigate the risks to patient safety that could result from a Serious Shortage Protocol and planning for the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: Serious shortage protocols can help patients get timely access to medicines. In order to monitor and mitigate the risks to patient safety that could result from a serious shortage protocol, any protocol would only be introduced if clinicians with expertise in the relevant area think it is appropriate. Pharmacists still have to use their professional discretion as to whether supplying against the protocol rather than the prescription is appropriate, or whether the patient needs to be referred back to their prescriber. The operation of the serious shortage protocol legislation will be reviewed one year after the first protocol has been issued.

Mental Health Services: Acute Beds

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 July 2018 to Question 162042 on Mental Health Services: Acute Beds, how many acute consultant-led child and adolescent mental health services beds there have been in the NHS in each year since 2009.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information is not available in the format requested.Information from the NHS England collection KH03, is available quarterly from 2010/11 and annually for the years 2007/2008 and 2008/09 at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/bed-availability-and-occupancy/bed-data-overnight/This collection includes the number of available and occupied child and adolescent psychiatric beds open overnight and under the care of consultants.

Mental Health Services: Acute Beds

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 July 2018 to Question 162042 on Mental Health Services: Acute Beds, how many acute consultant-led alcohol detoxification beds there have been in the NHS in England since 2009.

Steve Brine: This information is not held centrally.

Abortion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what studies his Department has commissioned into the long-term effect of abortion on (a) women’s health and (b) younger women's health including risk of future miscarriage, premature birth and suicide in the last five years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Department has not commissioned any such studies. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is developing a new guideline on termination of pregnancy. This process involves consideration of the latest available evidence around complications during and after termination. The guideline is expected to be published in September 2019.

British Pregnancy Advisory Service: Merseyside

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to address concerns raised in the CQC Report on BPAS Merseyside published in January 2017.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The concerns raised in the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) 2017 inspection report of British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) Merseyside are being addressed locally. The CQC has been reassured that BPAS has addressed a range of concerns identified in the report, including implementation of agreed standards with commissioners and providers who are monitoring service delivery. The CQC is due to re-inspect BPAS Merseyside later in 2019.

Social Services

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of adults receiving local authority-run social care services in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the UK.

Caroline Dinenage: The following table shows the number of people receiving care services in 2017/18. 2017/18 during yearCoventryWest MidlandsEnglandLong Term Care Users4,34586,855857,770Completed Short Term Care Episodes1,81019,865246,035Source: NHS Digital publication ‘Adult Social Care Activity and Finance: England 2017-18’

Pain

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of people with chronic pain in each of the last five years.

Steve Brine: No estimate has been made. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence states the prevalence of chronic pain has been difficult to define. A recent systematic review has reported prevalence rates of between 8.7% to 64.4%, with a pooled mean of 31%. An earlier review suggested that chronic pain affects between one-third and one-half of the population.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease in each of the last five years.

Steve Brine: The data is not held in the format requested.

Arthritis

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people by (a) age group and (b) gender have been diagnosed with hand arthritis in each of the last five years.

Steve Brine: The data is not held in the format requested.

NHS

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reasons the NHS Long Term Plan did not include commitments on waiting time targets for (a) treatment in Accident & Emergency, (b) routine operations and (c) cancer treatment.

Stephen Hammond: The clinically-led review of standards was announced by the Prime Minister in June 2018. The review is considering the appropriateness of operational standards for physical and mental health relating to planned, unplanned urgent or emergency care, including cancer. The Long Term Plan provides a platform upon which innovative models of patient care can and are being developed. In that context, the National Health Service’s National Medical Director has been working with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Healthwatch England and many others to consider what matters most to patients, on the clinical issues with the current target regime, and what NHS staff believe will help them provide the best quality care for patients. The review will report its interim findings in the spring of 2019, after which any recommended changes will be carefully field tested across the NHS.

NHS: Staff

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when Health Education England's Mental Wellbeing Review of NHS staff and learners will be published; and how the recommendations of that review will be incorporated into the NHS Long Term Plan.

Stephen Hammond: Health Education England has completed its review on the mental wellbeing of National Health Service staff and learners. The recommendations are currently being considered by Ministers and it is expected to be published in due course. The recommendations should enhance the work already underway across the NHS on improving the mental health of NHS staff. This includes NHS England’s Health and Wellbeing Framework, NHS Improvement’s NHS Staff Health and Wellbeing Collaborative and NHS Employers advice, guidance and good practice, all of which embed ‘Thriving at Work – a review of mental health and employers’[1] which was commissioned by the Government. The Review’s recommendations are likely to be reflected in the Long Term Plan via the Workforce Implementation Strategy which is being developed by NHS Improvement and supports the delivery of the Long Term Plan. Note: 1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thriving-at-work-a-review-of-mental-health-and-employers

Mental Health: Employment

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Backbench Business Committee debate on Mental Health First Aid on 17 January 2019, Official Report columns 1366-1395, by what date the Government plans to have implemented the Thriving at Work mental health recommendations in (a) the NHS and (b) the Civil Service.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Prime Minister accepted the recommendations of ‘Thriving at Work: The Stevenson / Farmer review of mental health and employers’ that apply to the Civil Service and NHS England as major employers. Both organisations have made progress across the recommendations, and are continuing work to embed change. The Civil Service is committed to being a leading employer on mental health support, and providing this support is a critical part of meeting the Civil Service's ambition to be the United Kingdom’s most inclusive employer by 2020, as set out in the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. All main Government departments have benchmarked themselves against the core and enhanced standards to identify best practice and areas requiring further action. Every Civil Service Permanent Secretary now has a performance objective directly related to implementing the mental health standards and brand new Civil Service Wellbeing Confident Leaders training is being rolled out to senior leaders. On 22 November 2018, the Government published the Voluntary Reporting Framework to support organisations to record and voluntarily report information on disability and mental health in the workplace. The Civil Service welcomed this and will use the data gathered from its Health and Wellbeing Dashboard to report against the framework. The National Health Service is implementing the mental health standards through the single NHS Workforce Health and Wellbeing Framework, which was published on 16 May and shared with NHS organisations. This includes support for improving the health and wellbeing culture of the NHS with a specific focus on line management and leadership, alongside clear accountability for health and wellbeing at board level. Both NHS Improvement and the Civil Service are members of the Thriving at Work Leadership Council which met on 17 January 2019. The council consists of a range of business representatives and leading trade associations to champion the core and enhanced standards and explore innovative solutions to further drive their implementation and take up.

Cancer

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the level of funding needed to ensure the cancer workforce can deliver the commitments in the NHS Long Term Plan; and whether that information will be included in the Workforce Implementation Plan.

Steve Brine: Following publication of the first ever Cancer Workforce Plan in December 2017, Health Education England (HEE) had intended to publish a second phase, longer-term strategy that looked at the cancer workforce needs beyond 2021. The announcement of the development of the NHS Long Term Plan superseded this work and HEE will now work with NHS England and NHS Improvement to understand the longer-term workforce implications for further development of cancer services. This will include exploring sustainable growth beyond 2021 in key professions through continued investment in training places, with a greater focus on attracting and retaining students and improving the numbers of qualified professionals who go on to work in the National Health Service.

Wales Office

Wales Office: Pay

Gareth Snell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what information his Department holds on the rate of remuneration for (a) cleaners, (b) security guards and (c) catering staff in his Department in (i) Greater London and (ii) outside Greater London.

Nigel Adams: Cleaning and security guard services provided to the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales are undertaken by outsourced providers under Ministry of Justice contracts. Rates of pay for cleaners and security guards are determined by their respective employers and are not held by the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales or Ministry of Justice. All employers are obligated to pay at least the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. The Office does not have any in-house catering facilities.

Ports: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the free flow of goods at the ports of Holyhead and Pembroke in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Alun Cairns: Officials in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales and colleagues across Government meet regularly with the Welsh Government, port authorities and other maritime stakeholders in Wales to support the smooth and orderly implementation of any new arrangements required as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Department for Education

Department of Education: Pay

Gareth Snell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information his Department holds on the rate of remuneration for (a) cleaners, (b) security guards and (c) catering staff in his Department in (i) Greater London and (ii) outside Greater London.

Anne Milton: The department does not employ cleaners, security guards and catering staff.Cleaning, security duties and catering services in buildings managed by the department are outsourced under facilities management contracts. Suppliers are responsible for setting rates of pay for their staff and rates vary dependent on the age and location of staff and market rates. All suppliers are required to pay, as a minimum, either the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage. The rates set by the government for the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage will rise in April 2019.

Department of Education: Civil Servants

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of civil servants in his Department who would be seconded to work in other Departments in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a negotiated deal.

Anne Milton: It is the top priority of the government to leave the EU with a deal, but it is also the responsibility of the government to prepare for all scenarios, including the prospect of a no deal.As the Civil Service is focused on delivering the government’s most pressing priorities, we must make use of the resources and expertise that we have available to make sure that the UK is prepared for all Brexit scenarios on exit day. This includes departments sharing staff and working together on joint projects. The number of staff being seconded from the department is yet to be determined.

Faith Schools: Admissions

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to promote inclusivity in religiously selective schools; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: Like all schools, those with a designated religious character are required by law, and for academies, through their funding agreement, to promote inclusivity through supporting integration and community cohesion whatever their character and ethos. They are also required to provide a broad and balanced curriculum and to promote fundamental British values, including mutual respect and tolerance of those of other faiths and beliefs.We know that the vast majority of schools with a religious character are open and inclusive. We believe that the broad religious literacy, which most promote, is helpful in giving students what they need to navigate our multicultural society.In its response to the “Schools that work for everyone” consultation, the department announced the retention of the 50% cap on faith admissions in faith free schools. We also announced strengthened expectations on integration to ensure that the potential impact on the intake of neighbouring schools is assessed, before a new school is approved.

Primary Education: Standards

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of the levels of attainment inequality in primary education across different local education authority areas of the UK.

Nick Gibb: ​The Department for Education produces statistics for England only.The Department publishes attainment, in headline measures for state-funded schools, at the end of Key Stage 2 by local authority and region. An extract from the latest figures for 2017/18 are attached. The source of these figures can be found in table L1 of the 'Key stage 2 local authority tables' here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-2-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised.Further local authority data, including for previous years, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-key-stage-2.1Due to change in methodology and headline measures, figures are only comparable between 2009/10 – 2014/15 and 2015/16 – 2016/17. Changes made within the 2017/18 writing teachers assessment frameworks mean that judgements in 2018 are not directly comparable to those made using the previous interim frameworks in 2016 and 2017. [1]For each year, select the ‘revised’ publication and then open the ‘Local authority and regional tables’. For 2015/16 – 2016/17 the headline measures are the percentage of pupils reaching the expected standard and can be found in tables L1, L2 and L3. For 2009/10 – 2014/15 the headline measures are the percentage achieving level 4 or above and can be found in tables 12-16 (2013/14 – 2014/15); tables 12-15 (2012/13); tables 13-15 (2011/12); table 11 (2010/11); table 18 (2009/10 – in the ‘national and local authority tables’).



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Secondary Education: Standards

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment his Department has made of levels of attainment inequality in secondary education across different local education authority areas of the UK.

Nick Gibb: The Department publishes attainment, in headline measures for state-funded schools, at the end of key stage 4 by local authority and region. The latest figures for 2017/18 are available in the attached table. Further local authority data, including for previous years, can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-gcses-key-stage-4.



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Further Education: STEM Subjects

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of students studying STEM-related courses in further education colleges in each year since 2010.

Anne Milton: The answer provided is the number of learning aims (i.e. courses, programmes, qualifications and units) students have taken in STEM-related further education (FE) sector subject areas.Many FE students, especially 16 to 18 year olds, take a single substantive qualification, but the total number of aims will count people more than once if for example; they progress to another course during a year or are undertaking a range of qualifications in different subjects, a proportion of which could be STEM-related.The attached table provide the number of aims delivered on STEM-related courses in education and training provision in England for each academic year since 2010/11, and covers all FE providers. In addition, there is a table on apprenticeship starts by academic year. Both tables include all age students. 



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Special Educational Needs: West Sussex

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of children who have special educational needs and disability in West Sussex; and how many of those children are supported with formal education, health and care plans.

Nadhim Zahawi: ​The National Statistics release ‘Special educational needs in England: January 2018’ includes numbers of children with special educational needs (SEN) and education, health and care (EHC) plans.​The release is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england-january-2018. Table 15 of the local authority tables includes information on the number of pupils in West Sussex with SEN and EHC plans.

Special Educational Needs: West Sussex

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the waiting time is for an education, health and care plan application to be processed in West Sussex.

Nadhim Zahawi: The information requested is not held by the department.Data is collected by the department on assessments for education, health and care plans that are completed within their 20-week target. This is published in table 8 of the ‘Statements of SEN and EHC plans: England, 2018’ publication, which is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statements-of-sen-and-ehc-plans-england-2018.

Alternative Education: Young People

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many young people have been educated in temporary alternative provision in (a) London and (b) England in the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is not held centrally.

Extended Services: Finance

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding his Department has allocated to the Extended Schools Programme in each year since 2006.

Nick Gibb: The specific funding allocations for extended schools in each financial year from 2006-2007 and 2010-2011 are laid out in the table below:Funding for extended schools  Financial year  Allocation (£ millions) 2006-200766.8792007-200864.5742008-200980.5692009-2010172.3342010-2011356.417 In 2011-2012, £356.417 million was transferred into the Dedicated Schools Grant as part of the Government’s aim to minimise the number of separate grants in the school funding system.

Free School Meals: Newcastle Upon Tyne

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of (a) children and (b) children eligible for free school meals reached a Good Level of Development at age five in Newcastle upon Tyne Central constituency in each of the last three years.

Nadhim Zahawi: The requested data is shown in the attached table.



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Ministry of Justice

Berwyn Prison: Ambulance Services

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on how many occasions ambulances have been called to HMP Berwyn each year since that prison opened.

Rory Stewart: In line with policy at HMP Berwyn, when a medical emergency procedure is activated, it is standard response for the Communications room to call for an ambulance. This is in partnership with the prisons healthcare providers – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST). On a number of occasions there has been the requirement for such ambulances to attend the prison. Attended incidents are where the ambulance service has attended the scene of an incident. The number of stand downs are where a vehicle was allocated, but did not arrive at the scene within HMP Berwyn. BCUHB Health care professionals are the only people that can stand down an ambulance. The table below provides the breakdown per month of those attended and stood down in regards to HMP Berwyn. Table One: Number of occasions an ambulance has attended/ been stood down at HMP Berwyn:MonthAttended IncidentsStand Downs 2017*8962 201815680 *Information is based from February 2017 as this was when the prison opened. Source - Information has been provided by the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust - Health Informatics. Please note that since opening in the spring 2017 the population of HMP Berwyn has increased from 887 (Dec 17) to 1287 (Dec 18).

Berwyn Prison: Restraint Techniques

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many use of force incidents have been recorded at HMP Berwyn in each month since the prison opened.

Rory Stewart: In the Prison Service, staff use personal safety techniques when it is lawful and necessary, to prevent harm to themselves or a third party. At HMP Berwyn, front line Prison Staff are taught through their Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) how to apply correct Control and Restraint techniques (C&R) when dealing with a violent or recalcitrant prisoners. Alongside the national rollout of key worker and training such as ‘Five minute Intervention (FMI), front line operational staff are taught that the use of C&R techniques should be a last resort after all other means of de-escalation. The decision to use force should take into account the type of harm that the member of staff is trying to prevent, this will help to determine whether force is necessary in the particular circumstances they are faced with. ‘Harm’ may cover all of the following risks; risk to life, risk to limb, risk to property or risk to the good order of the establishment. Since opening in spring 2017 through to December 2018, the prison population has increased significantly at HMP Berwyn. There have been a number of incidents per month that have resulted in the requirement of force being used. Table one below presents the figures per month: Table One: The number of incidents per month whereby force has been used at HMP Berwyn:March – December 2017January – December 2018Mar-178Jan-18115Apr-1711Feb-1897May-1741Mar-1875Jun-1722Apr-1887Jul-1735May-1888Aug-1747Jun-1883Sep-1732Jul-1898Oct-1753Aug-182131Nov-1770Sep-18108Dec-17164Oct-18101  Nov-18110  Dec-183781 In December 2017 there were 64 (7.2%) Use of Force incidents against a population of 887.2 In August 2018 there were 131 (11.5%) Use of Force incidents against a population of 1139.3 In December 2018 there were 78 (6.1%) Use of Force incidents against a population of 1287. Alongside Control and Restraint techniques, we’re equipping staff with the tools to do their job safely - rolling out PAVA incapacitant spray and body-worn cameras.

Ministry of Justice: Recruitment

Mr George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what date Amie Anelka was appointed to the role of Data Protection Officer in his Department; and for how long Ms Anelka held that role.

Rory Stewart: Amie Alekna was appointed to the role of Data Protection Officer (DPO) on 25 May 2018 for the parts of the Department that did not have their own DPO arrangements. Ms Alekna held that role for five months.

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many assaults on staff in each year from 2010 were (a) recorded at each high-security institution and (b) involved staff at high-security institutions with less than three years’ experience.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents of self-harm were recorded at each high-security institution in each year from 2010.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents of homicide were recorded at each high-security institution in each year from 2010.

Rory Stewart: The Government publishes quarterly statistics on violence, self-harm and deaths in prison custody, and a more detailed annual breakdown, and both are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-quarterly-update-to-june-2018. The number of assaults in each prison can be seen in table 3.15 of Assaults in prison custody 2000 to 2017; the number of self-harm incidents in each prison is in table 2.13 of Self-harm in prison custody 2004 to 2017; and the number of homicides in each prison can be found in the Deaths data tool. I regret that the number of incidents involving staff with less than three years’ experience could be found only at disproportionate cost. The Government is taking unprecedented action to improve safety in prisons custody. This includes:investing in over 4,300 additional staff since October 2015;investing an extra £70 million to improve safety, security and decency, and equipping officers with PAVA incapacitant spray and body-worn cameras to help prevent serious harm to staff and prisoners when dealing with violent incidents;tackling the drugs that we know are fuelling much of the violence in custody - introducing new x-ray scanners, drug-detection dogs and dedicated search teams;introducing new suicide and self-harm prevention training, which has already reached over 24,000 staff;improving support for prisoners in their early days and weeks and rolling out a ‘key worker’ scheme which ensures each prisoner has dedicated support from a particular prison officer;funding the Samaritans service for a further three years’ for their valuable Listeners Scheme; andimproving the ACCT case management process for those identified as at risk of self-harm or suicide.

Sexual Offences: Sentencing

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many sex offenders convicted in each of the last five years were sentenced to a (a) non-custodial sentence, (b) custodial sentence of less than six months, (c) custodial sentence of 6-12 months, (d) custodial sentence of one-five years, (e) a custodial sentence of 5-10 years and (f) a custodial sentence of more than 10 years by sexual offence type.

Rory Stewart: Data on the number of offenders sentenced to custody for sexual offences, broken down by offence and length of sentence, is available in the “Outcomes by offence data tool” at: https://www.gov.uk/Government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2017 To obtain the requested data, carry out the following steps:Remove the ‘Values’ field from RowsSelect 2013 to 2017 in the ‘Year’ fieldFilter ‘Offence group’ to ‘02: Sexual offences’Drag the ‘Offence’ field into RowsDrag all the ‘Custody’ fields into Values (this can also be done by ticking the boxes for each field and ensuring the ‘Values’ field this creates is in Rows)For each requested sentence length period, combine the values of the relevant custodial sentence lengthsFor those sentenced to a non-custodial sentence, drag the ‘Sentenced’ and ‘Total Immediate Custody’ fields into Values and take the difference as the number of non-custodial sentences.

Prisons: Drugs

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of prison staff exposed to new psychoactive substances during the course of their work in each year since 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Rory Stewart: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Courts: Small Claims

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate the Government has made of the level of non-compliance with judgements in small claims courts; and what plans he has to strengthen the powers of courts to enforce judgements in small claims cases.

Lucy Frazer: HM Courts and Tribunals Service does not have data about the level of compliance with judgments in the county court, because judgment debts are not always paid into court. The Government is committed to ensuring that the enforcement of court judgments is effective whilst protecting debtors from aggressive behaviour from enforcement agents. We have launched a call for evidence on how enforcement agents operate as part of our review of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. The call for evidence closes on 17 February 2019. We shall consider the need for further reform of the powers and regulation of enforcement in the light of that evidence. As part of its wider reform project, HMCTS is focusing on improving the service it provides to people who wish to enforce a court judgment.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will list in full the UK's (a) financial and (b) legal obligations to the EU in the event of the UK leaving the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: The Withdrawal Agreement establishes the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU, settling the UK’s financial and legal rights and obligations on withdrawal and providing an orderly transition to the future relationship. The Government has set out a reasonable central estimate of the financial settlement in the Withdrawal Agreement of £35bn to £39bn, which the 20 April 2018 National Audit Office report ‘Exiting the EU: The financial settlement’ concluded was reasonable.

Customs Unions

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of the UK negotiating a permanent UK-EU customs union.

Mr Robin Walker: We will not enter a Customs Union because it would not respect the result of the referendum and would not allow for an independent trade policy. The partnership we are seeking with the EU will include an ambitious customs arrangement between the UK and EU, and the trading relationship on goods will be as ambitious as possible. There will be no tariffs, fees, charges, or quotas.Both the EU and UK have been clear that our future partnership will respect the development of an independent UK trade policy beyond the economic partnership with the EU.This would not be possible in the customs union.

Brexit

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on contingency planning for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government continues to plan for all eventualities. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State remain in regular contact and, along with the rest of Cabinet, agreed to progress with the next phase of our no deal plans. The Chancellor remains committed, allocating £1.5billion for EU Exit preparations in all scenarios in 2018/19 and 2019/20; this was subsequently increased by £0.5bn for 2019/20 in the 2018 Budget, meaning the government will have invested over £4 billion in preparing for EU exit since 2016.

UK Relations With EU

Bill Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps the Government has taken to consult the devolved administrations on the UK's future relationship with the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: UK Ministers meet regularly with Ministers from the Scottish and Welsh governments, through JMC (EU Negotiations), JMC (Europe), the Ministerial Forum (EU Negotiations), as well as bilateral and trilateral meetings. In the absence of an Executive, we also engage at an official level with the Northern Ireland Civil Service.Yesterday the Prime Minister met with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales as part of ongoing discussions to find a consensus around the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU. Both Ministers have been invited by the Prime Minister to attend all relevant meetings of a new Cabinet sub-committee that will bring together work on preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU, spanning both deal and no deal outcomes.This builds on the increasing engagement in recent months between the UK government and the devolved administrations and our commitment to give them an enhanced role in the next phase of the Brexit process, respecting their vital interests in these negotiations.UK Ministers will attend the next meeting of the Ministerial Forum (EU Negotiations) in Scotland next week.

Common Agricultural Policy

Rebecca Pow: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on agricultural policy after the UK leaves the EU.

Kwasi Kwarteng: We continue to have regular conversations with ministerial colleagues across Government on all aspects of exiting the EU, including agricultural policy.The Agriculture Bill is part of the Government’s programme of critical legislation to deliver a smooth Exit from the European Union and seize the opportunities of a green Brexit. It will allow us to break from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and free farmers to continue producing world-class produce.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Fire Prevention

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate he has made of the cost to building owners of replacing faulty composite fire doors.

James Brokenshire: The remediation of Glass Reinforced Plastic composite fire doors is being led by the fire door industry. We are currently working with the Association of Composite Fire Door Manufacturers on a plan to ensure that doors are replaced where this is required.

Fire Prevention

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has plans to issue additional guidance to building owners on the replacement of faulty composite fire doors.

James Brokenshire: The Independent Expert Panel issued guidance for building owners who are looking to fit or replace fire doors. This information can be found on the Building Safety Programmes website.   Social housing providers have also been provided with a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document for guidance in replacing fire doors and have been provided with the opportunity to join the Government’s test sharing hub to share the results of current testing of the timber fire doors market with the aim to prevent duplication of testing and inform door replacement programmes.   We will continue to keep the content of our advice and guidance under review based on feedback from local government and industry.

Planning Permission

Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will (a) clarify the objectives of the changes to the aspect of the National Planning Policy Framework where design and style have a value and (b) make it his policy that (i) appropriateness should be defined by clarifying local and commercial interests, (ii) the views of the community should be taken into account and (iii) through early engagement expectations should be clarified where previously it was explicit that decisions and policies should not impose style nor taste.

Kit Malthouse: Creating high quality buildings and places is an important objective of the National Planning Policy Framework. To help achieve this, it stresses the importance of establishing clear community expectations of what good design looks like in each area, and of early discussions with the community about the design of emerging schemes. It also makes clear that design policies should be grounded in an understanding and evaluation of each area's defining characteristics, including materials, while allowing a suitable degree of variety where justified. Updated guidance to support these policies will be published in due course.

Planning Permission

Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether policy, guidance and coding restrictions on style will be (a) based on the outcomes of a transparent, explicit and comprehensive consultation with the relevant local authority and (b) expressed in clear and unambiguous terms.

Kit Malthouse: The National Planning Policy Framework indicates that visual tools such as design guides and codes should be prepared either by local planning authorities with the involvement of the local community, or by local communities themselves through the neighbourhood planning process. Such documents should set clear expectations, so that applicants for planning permission have as much certainty as possible about what is likely to be acceptable, while allowing a suitable degree of variety where this would be justified.

Leasehold

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions the Government has met with (a) property development companies and (b) builders to discuss the leasehold law for existing leaseholders; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: Ministers have engaged with industry on several occasions to discuss issues facing existing leaseholders. On 5 November, Minister Wheeler met with the Home Builders Federation and raised the issue of consumer redress in the leasehold market. On 8 November, the Secretary of State held a round table with developers and investors, setting out his concerns regarding onerous ground rents and the lack of redress for existing leaseholders. The answer to question UIN189727 of 19 November 2018, details the attendees of the round table.A full list of ministerial meetings up until 30 September 2018 is published at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dclg-ministerial-data and is updated regularly.

Females: Antisemitism

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to tackle antisemitism against women.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Government was pleased to support the Sara Conference in November 2018. The conference focused specifically on the intersectionality between antisemitism and sexism, looking particularly at the experience of Jewish women in public life. The conference brought together an excellent cross-section of policy makers, academics, and other experts, and set the agenda for what key organisations in this regard, such as the Antisemitism Policy Trust, will do going forward. The Government will continue to work closely with the Antisemitism Policy Trust, to understand this specific threat and to support their work.

Females: Judaism

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Sara conference of 26 November 2018, what plans his Department has to encourage more Jewish women to participate in public life.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Government was pleased to support the Sara Conference in November 2018. It was an important platform for policy-makers, public figures, and experts to discuss the intersectionality between antisemitism and sexism, and an important start to understanding how antisemitic abuse targeted at women can be tackled. The conference set the future direction for organisations dedicated to this issue, such as the Antisemitism Policy Trust. We will continue to work closely with the Antisemitism Policy Trust as they develop this important work and encourage women to enter public life.

Vagrancy Act 1824

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has plans to undertake a review of the provisions of the Vagrancy Act 1824.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: This Government is clear that no-one should be criminalised simply for having nowhere to live and sleeping rough. The cross Government Rough Sleeping Strategy which was published in August committed to reviewing homelessness and rough sleeping legislation, including the Vagrancy Act.

Housing: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what planning restrictions for house building there are in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what development restrictions there are in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Kit Malthouse: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear the importance the Government attaches to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.   The Framework says that great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in these areas, which have the highest status of protection.   It makes clear that the scale and extent of any development – including housing - in these areas should be limited. Local authorities are expected to refuse planning permission for major development there, other than in exceptional circumstances and where the development would be in the public interest.

Council Housing: Pets

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of local authorities that allow their tenants to keep pets.

Kit Malthouse: The Department does not hold information on the number of local authorities that allow their tenants to keep pets.   Local authorities may hold this information if contacted directly.

Housing Associations: Pets

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of housing associations that allow their tenants to keep pets.

Kit Malthouse: The Regulator of Social Housing does not hold information on the number of housing associations that allow their tenants to keep pets.   Housing associations might be able to provide this information if contacted directly.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Sarah Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department has taken to evaluate the effect of cladding remediation work on residents in tower blocks where such work is taking place.

Sarah Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many (a) social sector and (b) private sector tower blocks do not currently have cladding due to ongoing remediation works.

Sarah Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the health-related effects on residents affected by cladding remediation work.

Kit Malthouse: The Government is committed to ensuring residents are safe, and feel safe, in their homes. We have set up a comprehensive programme to oversee the remediation of high-rise residential buildings with unsafe Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding.The Health and Safety Executive, National Fire Chiefs Council and Local Authority Building Control are working together in consultation with the Local Government Association to coordinate a series of joint inspections on remedial works. Where possible, the Health and Safety Executive’s interventions will be carried out alongside local fire and rescue services and local authority building control to ensure that the regulation of workplace, public and fire safety risks from remediation work are addressed holistically.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Sarah Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the financial effect on residents affected by cladding remediation work in relation to heating costs.

Kit Malthouse: The Government expects landlords to protect leaseholders, where possible, from any disruption caused by the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding and to communicate with them regularly during this process. That includes programming and sequencing their work, in consultation with residents, to ensure that people are not unduly exposed to the cold.When the external wall of a building is renovated or replaced, the work must comply with the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations 2010. Residents who have concerns about heating costs may wish to contact the Government-funded Energy Saving Advice Service (ESAS) for independent information about energy efficiency.In the social sector, the Regulator of Social Housing requires that homes in the social housing sector meet the Decent Homes Standard, which includes having efficient heating and effective insulation. As social landlords have responsibility for the overall standards of their buildings, we would expect them to take action and engage with residents to ensure disruption is reduced whilst the works are completed as quickly and safely as possible. We would expect those who have concerns about their ability to do this to contact MHCLG or the Regulator of Social Housing.

Buildings: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2019 to Question 208362 on Buildings: Insulation, how many of the 1,421 non-aluminium composite material cladding samples submitted to the Building Research Establishment for testing were (a) metal composite material cladding, (b) high-pressure laminate cladding and (c) expanded polystyrene insulation in external wall insulation systems.

Kit Malthouse: None of the samples submitted for screening tests are recorded as (a) metal composite material cladding, (b) high-pressure laminate cladding and (c) expanded polystyrene insulation in external wall insulation systems.However the following categories of samples could have included these types of products; 231 samples were categorised as containing ‘Metal’ and comprised more than one layer. Samples categorised as boarding will have included high-pressure laminate as well as other board products such as plasterboard, there were 172 of these samples. 134 samples were categorised as rendered EPS (Expanded Polystyrene).

Families: Disadvantaged

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much funding his Department has allocated to the Troubled Families programme in each year since 2012.

Rishi Sunak: Because the Troubled Families Programme is a payment by results programme, funding allocations are made on a multi-year rather than an annual basis so that local authorities can claim payment when their work with families results in significant and sustained progress.The Department allocated £448 million to the first Troubled Families Programme between 2012 and 2015. A further £920 million has been committed to the current programme which runs between 2015 and 2020.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Dame Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Answer of 2 July 2018 to Question 158171, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the response of Abacus Land 4 Ltd to tenants of Heysmoor Heights, Liverpool who have been charged in relation to replacement of cladding following the Grenfell Tower disaster; and if will he make a statement.

Kit Malthouse: We understand that leaseholders in Heysmoor Heights have been protected from a substantial proportion of the overall remediation costs due to a warranty claim being accepted. However, we continue to set our strong expectation that leaseholders should be protected from all remediation costs. We have written to, and continue to engage with, individual building owners to reiterate this expectation.

Housing: Solar Power

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether solar panels installed on domestic properties have a right to light protection under planning legislation.

Kit Malthouse: I would like to refer the Hon. Member to the Government’s response to UIN141851 of 20 May. The Government believes that sufficient protection is already afforded to existing solar arrays by the planning system which can take into account whether a proposed development would have an unreasonable impact on the light enjoyed by neighbouring properties, in terms of its impact on living conditions.

Local Government Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the equitable allocation of funding to local authorities.

Rishi Sunak: The Government is undertaking a review of the relative needs and resources of local authorities in England, with a view to setting fresh baseline funding levels in 2020-21. We are working closely with local government representatives and others to consider the drivers of local authorities’ costs. We are also looking at the resources available locally to fund services, and how we should account for these in a way that draws a more transparent and understandable link between local circumstances and resource allocations.We are making good progress in collaboration with the sector and recently launched a consultation exercise which will close on 21 February. Details of the consultation are available online:  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-local-authorities-relative-needs-and-resources.

Ministry of Defence

Military Aid

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what scenario planning his Department is undertaking on Military Aid to Civil Authorities.

Mark Lancaster: Civil authorities and emergency services provide the first response to crises, emergencies and/or major incidents within the UK. They can however request Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) when they require additional or niche capabilities as described in 'Joint Doctrine Publication 02, UK Operations: the Defence Contribution to Resilience and Security'.Defence participates actively in the Cabinet Office coordinated National Risk Assessment (NRA) process. The NRA, which is refreshed every two years, is a compendium of the most significant risks, or scenarios, that could manifest in the UK over the next five years. As part of the development and assessment of these scenarios the extent to which Defence may be required to provide MACA is considered. An unclassified version of the scenarios detailed in the NRA, can be found in the National Risk Register at the following link:https://naru.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/UK-National-Risk-Register-2017.pdf

European Fighter Aircraft: Operating Costs

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cost per flight per hour of a Typhoon; what is included in calculating this cost; and if he will make a statement.

Stuart Andrew: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her on 21 July 2017 to Question 5476.



5476 - MOD Military Aircraft
(Word Document, 26.42 KB)

Ministry of Defence: Legal Costs

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the highest hourly rate paid for legal advice was by (a) his Department and (b) each of his Department's arms length bodies in 2018.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The highest hourly rate paid for legal advice by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was £580. The highest hourly rate paid for legal advice by the MOD’s arms length bodies is: Name of Arms Length BodyHighest RateDefence Electronics and Components Agency£295Defence Science and Technology Laboratory£148National Army Museum£550National Museum of the Royal Navy£580Oil and Pipelines£250Royal Air Force Museum£280Royal Hospital Chelsea£530Single Source Regulations Office£450United Kingdom Hydrographic Office£675

Armed Forces: Conditions of Employment

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which activities undertaken by under-18s in the armed forces constitutes hazardous work as defined under Article 3 (d) of ILO Convention 182 and its accompanying Recommendation 190.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of whether military training activities constitute hazardous work as defined in Article 3(d) of ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour and its accompanying Recommendation 1902.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ministry of Defence's Management of Health and Safety Regulations requires special attention to identifying and controlling health and safety risks to young persons in the workplace. Many of these are covered by existing risk assessment and control measures, but the employing branch will identify any additional control measures/changes required in accordance with the normal risk assessment process.All Armed Forces personnel are trained for a wide range of operational tasks and environments, including combat. Established procedures are in place to ensure that Service personnel under the age of 18 are not deployed on operations. Our policies on under 18s in Service are robust and comply with national and international law.Commanding Officers take their responsibilities towards their personnel extremely seriously. Commanding Officers pay close attention to the needs of under 18s as they pass from recruitment through Phase 1 and Phase 2 training, to operational units.

Ministry of Defence: Pay

Gareth Snell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the rate of remuneration for (a) cleaners, (b) security guards and (c) catering staff in his Department in (i) Greater London and (ii) outside Greater London.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: I am interpreting your request as referring to civilian staff. Cleaning and catering services within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are provided through a number of facilities management contracts. Information on the rates of remuneration for cleaners and caterers is held by facilities management contractors and not by the Department. MOD guards have the same terms and conditions and pay scales as the wider MOD Civil Service. The MOD Guard Service comprises approximately 1,800 E2 grades and 200 E1 grades. The rate of remuneration is shown per annum in the table below: GradeCurrent National Pay Scales:London Pay Scales:E1£19,911 to £21,155£21,309 to £22,637E2£17,476 to £17,992£18,700 to £19,251 In addition to pay scales, dependent on location, guards may also receive additional locational allowances. Remuneration rates for guards that are provided through commercial contracts are not held by the Department.

Veterans: North West

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department has allocated to support armed forces veterans living in (a) the Local Authority of St Helens and (b) the North West in each financial year since 2010.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The information for Local Authorities is not held in the format requested. However, details of all grants made by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, by region, since 2015 are available on the Covenant Fund website at the following links:http://www.covenantfund.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Local-grants-2015-16.pdfhttp://www.covenantfund.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Local-grants-2016-17.pdfhttp://www.covenantfund.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Local-grants-2017-18.pdf

South America: Military Aid

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, to which South American countries the UK provides military training.

Mark Lancaster: The UK has deep and enduring interests in Latin America and the Caribbean. We have a long historical association with the continent which endures in the form of strong bilateral relationships, various treaties and alliances. During 2018 the UK provided military training to the following South American countries: Argentina; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Guyana; Uruguay; Paraguay and Peru.

General Electric: Rugby

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of General Electric about the future of its factory in Rugby.

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met with representatives of General Electric.

Stuart Andrew: Ministry of Defence Ministers are maintaining an ongoing dialogue with General Electric about the future of the company's factory in Rugby and have met with representatives of the company, most recently on 4 December 2018.

General Electric: Rugby

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the national security implications of General Electric transferring its operations from Rugby to France.

Stuart Andrew: The Ministry of Defence carefully considers the implications of any changes in UK industrial capability, including those relating to national security.

Security: Impact Assessments

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has conducted an impact assessment on the security implications of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Mark Lancaster: We have made an unequivocal commitment to European security, and NATO remains at the heart of the UK's defence policy. The Ministry of Defence continues to assess developing risks and works closely across Government to ensure that Defence is ready for a range of EU exit scenarios, and to ensure that essential defence tasks are unaffected. This planning is focused on ensuring that our supply chains are resilient and minimising disruption to our bases and people in Europe.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme: Injuries

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what time limits apply to a claim of compensation arising from an injury on duty.

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what time limits apply to a claim of compensation arising from an injury sustained while training.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Claims for compensation, irrespective of whether they arise from training or from an injury on duty may be brought by way of a common law claim, an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) claim or a War Pension Scheme (WPS) claim. For a common law claim, a claimant must issue court proceedings within three years of the date of the accident or the date of knowledge of the injury. The AFCS provides compensation for injury, illness or death caused by service in the UK Armed Forces on or after 6 April 2005. The time limit in most cases is seven years. The WPS provides no fault compensation to former personnel and their dependants for injuries and death as a result of service before 6 April 2005. Awards are not paid in service and there are no time limits for claiming. Awards can be reviewed at any time and there is a right of appeal to an independent tribunal.

Royal Naval Reserve

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the establishment is of the Royal Navy Reserve; and how many reservists there are at each rank in the Royal Naval Reserve.

Mark Lancaster: The Strength of the Maritime Reserve by Paid Rank, as at 1 October 2018 is shown in the table below.  Paid RankTrainedUntrainedTotal2,796951Officers1,005193OF6 (Commodore RN/Brigadier RM)2 OF5 (Captain RN/Colonel RM)12 OF4 (Commander RN/Lieutenant Colonel RM)127OF3 (Lieutenant Commander RN/Major RM)457OF2 (Lieutenant RN/Captain RM)338 OF1/OF(D) (Sub-Lieutenant RN/ Lieutenant RM /2nd Lieutenant RM/Midshipman RN)69193*Other Ranks1,791758OR9 (Warrant Officer Class 1)97 OR8 (Warrant Officer Class 2)29 OR7 (Chief Petty Officer RN/Colour Sergeant RM)298 OR6 (Petty Officer RN/Sergeant RM)260 OR4 (Leading Rate RN/Corporal RM)309 OR3 (Lance Corporal RM )69 OR2 (Able Rating RN/Marine RM)729758Source: Defence Statistics (Navy) *Includes a small number of untrained officers at other ranks.

Department for Work and Pensions

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the (a) application and (b) enforcement of the UK Continental Shelf of Directive 2013/30/EU on the safety of offshore oil and gas operations in the event that the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019 without a deal.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the provisions of the Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (OSDR) require amendment in order to continue applying on installations on the UK Continental Shelf after the UK leaves the EU.

Sarah Newton: The Government is committed to maintaining health and safety protections for workers when the UK leaves the EU so there is no reason for these standards to change . The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (SCR15) transposed the health and safety requirements of Directive 2013/30/EU into domestic legislation. All requirements and duties in SCR15 will continue to apply after the UK has left the EU. This will provide certainty and clarity for workers and industry. Minor technical amendments are required to make sure SCR15 remains operable after EU exit.Three amendments are included in The Health and Safety (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (SI 218/1370) (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1370/introduction/made). This Statutory Instrument (SI) was laid in Parliament on 18 December 2018. One further amendment is included in The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2019/9780111176368). The draft SI was laid in Parliament on 11 December 2018.

Offshore Safety Directive Regulator

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the (a) Health and Safety Executive and (b) Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the status of the Offshore Safety Directive Regulator after the UK leaves the EU.

Sarah Newton: The Offshore Safety Directive Regulator (OSDR) will continue to function as the competent authority and regulator of the offshore oil and gas major hazard regime after the UK leaves the EU. This partnership competent authority was set up administratively under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU and arrangements in place will not be affected after exiting the EU. The legislative requirements of the Directive were transposed into domestic legislation which will continue to apply in the UK after EU exit. OSDR will continue to oversee industry compliance with this legislation and perform its’ regulatory and administrative functions.

Offshore Safety Directive Regulator

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Offshore Safety Directive Regulator last updated trade unions organising offshore oil and gas workers.

Sarah Newton: The Offshore Major Accident Hazards Advisory Committee (OMAHAC) is tripartite in composition. This means that the Offshore Safety Directive Regulator can discuss regulatory developments with both trade union and employers’ representatives. Representatives of both Unite and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are members of OMAHAC and expect to attend all meetings if they are available to do so. The most recent OMAHAC meeting was held on 18 December 2018 and both Unite and RMT attended the meeting. Most of OMAHAC’s meeting agendas, minutes and attendee lists are available on HSE’s website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/osdr/omahac.htm.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many meetings of the Offshore Major Accident Hazards Advisory Committee (OMAHAC) there have been since March 2016; and if she will list the attendees at each meeting of OMAHAC to date.

Sarah Newton: There have been five OMAHAC meetings since March 2016. OMAHAC’s membership comprises representatives from the following organisations: Health and Safety Executive (HSE); Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning; Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (Regulators); Oil & Gas UK; International Association of Drilling Contractors; British Rig Owners Association; International Marine Contractors Association; Step Change in Safety (Industry Bodies); National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and Unite (Unions). Most of OMAHAC’s meeting agendas, minutes and attendee lists have been made available from HSE’s website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/osdr/omahac.htm.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to employment and support allowance, how many ESA65B letters her Department has sent to GPs in each month since May 2018.

Sarah Newton: The Department does not hold information on the number of ESA65B letters sent to GPs.

Universal Credit: Self-employed

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of universal credit are classified as gainfully self-employed.

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress her Department has made on ensuring that 50,000 claimants of universal credit are in gainful self-employment by Summer 2019.

Alok Sharma: We plan to publish statistics on Universal Credit and self-employment, including claimant numbers, in Spring 2019. The Government’s commitment remains to helping self-employed claimants with viable businesses to thrive, while protecting public funds. We provide tailored support to our claimants who are in self-employment through our work coaches to help them to increase their productivity and earnings. Work coaches can also sign-post claimants to the extensive business support which is already funded by the Government. As we announced in the Autumn Budget 2018, we will be extending the 12-month start-up period where claimants are exempt from the Minimum Income Floor to all gainfully self-employed claimants who are new to Universal Credit. This start-up period will provide time for self-employed claimants to establish and grow their business, or to adjust to Universal Credit. The Department has also extended mentoring support from New Enterprise Allowance mentors to Universal Credit claimants with earnings below their Minimum Income Floor, to help them to develop a plan to grow their earnings.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will increase the number recording devices available for benefits assessments in Wirral.

Sarah Newton: Anyone who is required to attend a Work Capability Assessment can ask to have their face-to-face assessment audio recorded. The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments ensure that sufficient recording equipment is available at the assessment centre, including transferring additional equipment to sites as required. Every claimant for Personal Independence Payment who wishes to have their assessment recorded has the right to do so but they must provide the recording equipment. DWP has set conditions for such recordings to take place, which are listed in the PIP Assessment Guide and are contained within correspondence to claimants from Assessment Providers. DWP will continue to keep the recording of assessments policy under review.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the availability of recording devices for benefits assessments on the (a) quality and (b) timeliness of those assessments.

Sarah Newton: Every person who is required to attend a Work Capability Assessment can ask to have their face-to-face assessment audio recorded. Where the request is made in advance the requirement will be met. Requests made on the day will be met where possible and the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments reviews the demand to ensure there is sufficient audio recording equipment. Personal Independence Payment claimants who wish to have their assessment recorded have the right to do so but they must provide the recording equipment. The Government’s response to recommendation 4b of Paul Gray’s second independent review of the Personal Independence Payment assessment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/668621/pip-assessment-second-independent-review-government-response.pdf) set out our assessment of a trial of audio recording assessments DWP also recently commenced a video recording pilot for claimants with Personal Independence Payment face-to-face assessments. The pilot enables us to test communications products and live testing of video recording, providing that claimants elect to participate. Findings from the pilot will inform views on rolling out video recording more widely, in order to promote greater trust and transparency. DWP will continue to keep the recording of assessments policy under review.

Universal Credit: EU Nationals

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many non-UK EU citizens have been refused universal credit on the basis that they do not have a right to reside in each month since January 2017.

Alok Sharma: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.Comprehensive guidance outlining eligibility for Universal Credit for EEA Nationals and the habitual residency test is available to all staff across the Jobcentre network. Universal Credit guidance is published in the House of Commons Library and the Department is committed to refreshing this at regular intervals.Eligibility for income-related (means-tested) social security benefits depends on a person’s immigration status in the UK. Claimants must be exercising a legal right to reside and be habitually resident before they are eligible to claim income related benefit. This is assessed through the Habitual Residence Test (HRT). DWP does not automatically provide other Government departments with information regarding an individual’s benefit claim. The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016 and immigration decisions are the responsibility of the Home Office.

Employment and Support Allowance: Chronic Illnesses

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to Employment Support Allowance (ESA), how many and what proportion of people with the most severe health conditions and disabilities with lifetime award of ESA have been placed in the ESA Support Group or Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity category and are exempt from repeat assessments; what steps his Department has taken to ensure individuals with lifelong illnesses will not be required to be reassessed; and for what reasons decision-makers are allocating timeframes for the award of ESA for applicants whose ESA 50 forms have not been reviewed.

Sarah Newton: In response to (a)(i), information on the number of claimants who have met the severe conditions criteria for Employment and Support Allowance is published and can be found in tables 5a and 5b in the file which can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-including-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-december-2018 With regard to (a)(ii), the information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. In response to (b), the Honourable lady might be interested to know that we have worked with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to develop a set of criteria to switch off re-assessments for people with the most severe health conditions or disabilities (unless there is a change of circumstances). From 29 September 2017 those placed in ESA’s Support Group and the UC equivalent who have the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, whose level of function would always mean that they would have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity, and be unlikely ever to be able to move into work, will no longer be routinely reassessed. With regards to question (c) to clarify, all ESA50 questionnaires completed and returned by claimants are reviewed by a Healthcare Professional. Their advice to the decision maker including advice on the review period will be based on all of the evidence they have considered.

Social Security Benefits: Fibromyalgia

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to update the training module on Fibromyalgia issued by her Department on 18 April 2018; and whether her Department has made an assessment of (a) the level of compliance with the training module by benefits assessors and (b) the effectiveness of the guidance in identifying suffers of Fibromyalgia.

Sarah Newton: The training module is due to be reviewed in April 2019 and Fibromyalgia UK will be invited to quality assure the document which they previously reviewed in March 2018. The Department’s Independent Audit Team conducts an audit of a statistically significant sample of the Centre for Health and Disability Assessment reports that includes Fibromyalgia cases. The role of Healthcare Professionals conducting assessments is to provide advice on the functional impact of a condition and not to diagnose or advise on treatment.

*No heading*

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the Backbench Business Committee debate on Mental Health First Aid on 17 January 2019 Official Report columns 1366-1395, what steps her Department is taking to ensure employers are aware of the the Health and Safety Executive's guidelines on existing requirements to consider mental health alongside physical health when undertaking a first aid needs assessment, published in November 2018.

Sarah Newton: On the 21 November 2018 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published revised guidance for employers on compliance with the existing Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 (http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/needs-assessment.htm). HSE developed this revised guidance with Mental Health First Aid-England to clarify and increase employer understanding that mental health should already be considered alongside physical health when undertaking a first aid needs assessment. The findings from this assessment will help direct employers to decide what measures they need to put in place. There are a range of actions that employers can undertake, but their choice should be guided by the outcomes of their first aid needs assessment and will depend on factors such as employee needs, the type of work and size of company. HSE has communicated this clarified guidance directly to key stakeholders involved in the design and delivery of first aid at work training courses. HSE is also taking opportunities to raise awareness through existing activity under its Health and Work programme, where preventing work-related mental ill health is a key priority. There is also related wider government activity led by the Joint DWP/DHSC Work and Health Unit to promote mental health core standards from the Lord Stevenson and Paul Farmer ‘Thriving at Work’ review published in October 2017, to help employers implement a comprehensive approach to managing mental health in the workplace.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Public Bodies

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff at the (a) Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, (b) Animal and Plant Health Agency, (c) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, (d) Rural Payments Agency and (e) Veterinary Medicines Doctorate (i) inside and (ii) outside Greater London are paid at a rate below the London Living Wage.

George Eustice: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 22 January 2019.The correct answer should have been:

The table below shows the number of staff paid below the London Living Wage, working inside and outside of Greater London, in the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Rural Payments Agency and Veterinary Medicines Directorate. OrganisationInside Greater LondonOutside Greater LondonAgriculture and Horticulture Development BoardN/A6Animal and Plant Health Agency07Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture ScienceN/A71Rural Payments Agency00Veterinary Medicines DirectorateN/A0 All permanent staff working outside of Greater London are paid above both the National Living Wage (£7.83 per hour) and non-London Living Wage (£8.75 £9.00 per hour).

George Eustice: The table below shows the number of staff paid below the London Living Wage, working inside and outside of Greater London, in the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Rural Payments Agency and Veterinary Medicines Directorate. OrganisationInside Greater LondonOutside Greater LondonAgriculture and Horticulture Development BoardN/A6Animal and Plant Health Agency07Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture ScienceN/A71Rural Payments Agency00Veterinary Medicines DirectorateN/A0 All permanent staff working outside of Greater London are paid above both the National Living Wage (£7.83 per hour) and non-London Living Wage (£8.75 £9.00 per hour).

Waste Management

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish his consultations on the proposals in the resources and waste strategy.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The consultation ‘Single use carrier bags: extending and increasing the charge’ has been published and will close on 22 February. Consultations on reforming the packaging producer responsibility system, the introduction of a deposit return scheme and improving household and business recycling will be published shortly.

Gun Sports: Licensing

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) necessity and (b) feasibility of Natural England granting licenses to shoot endangered native birds and wildlife.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: While the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides protection for all wild birds and our most threatened animal species, there are provisions within the legislation to issue licences to permit prohibited activities for specific purposes, for example: preserving air safety or public health; preventing serious damage to livestock; and conserving wild birds. In determining any licence application Natural England takes account of the requirements of the legislation and the five policy tests set out by Defra. A successful applicant must clearly demonstrate, with supporting evidence, that: actual damage or a problem is occurring;the species is actually causing the damage or problem;other reasonable and practical non-lethal alternatives have been considered and tried (such as scaring, trapping or proofing);the action is proportionate; andthe conservation status of the species will not be negatively affected.

Forests and Trees: Conservation

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's Consultation on Protecting and Enhancing England’s Trees and Woodlands, if he will ensure that appropriate measures include local authority tree officers in the duty to consult.

David Rutley: The Government has committed in the 25 Year Environment Plan to introduce a duty on local authorities to consult with local communities when a street tree is to be felled. Defra’s public consultation on ‘Protecting and Enhancing England’s Trees and Woodlands’ was launched on 30th December. It covers three measures we hope to include in the Environment Bill: a duty on LAs to consult on felling street trees (‘the duty to consult’), a duty on LAs to report on their tree felling and planting, and changes to the Forestry Act to give Forestry Commission more powers to tackle illegal tree felling. We are also consulting on best practice guidance for Tree and Woodland Strategies. The consultation is open until the 28 February 2019. A stakeholder workshop was held in Birmingham on 8 January 2019, which included representatives from local authorities as well as the Metropolitan Tree Officers Association, the National Tree Officers Association, the London Tree Officers Association and the Arboricultural Association. Defra welcomes further engagement from tree officers and local authorities in developing the duty to consult.

Fly-tipping

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many fly-tipping incidents there have been in each of the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: This is a devolved matter and the below refers to England only. The below table shows the number of fly-tipping incidents recorded in England in the last five years. 2013-142014-152015-162016-172017-18857,655905,604941,8961,011,199997,553 The national fly-tipping statistics are published annually by Defra and are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england

Rural Areas: Small Businesses

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support small rural businesses to become more (a) productive and (b) competitive.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government is committed to driving sustainable growth in the rural economy, of which small and medium enterprises are a vital part. The Government is supporting small rural businesses to become more productive and competitive through the £3.5 billion Rural Development Programme for England. This seven year programme is providing over £500 million to help grow rural businesses, including for farm and food sectors, through a range of socio-economic schemes that includes the Growth Programme and LEADER. This includes £75 million allocated to improving rural broadband. We are also working closely with DCMS to improve digital infrastructure in rural areas, helping rural businesses and communities. Improved digital connectivity can help remove the barriers to remote working, provide better access to customers and suppliers and improve business efficiency.

Home Office

Intelligence Services: International Cooperation

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to mitigate the effect of exclusion from European security cooperation on the UK's five eyes security arrangements.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Prime Minister’s deal delivers the broadest security agreement the EU has with any of its partners, providing for the exchange of information between the UK and the EU in recognition of the shared threats we face.There is no suggestion in the Withdrawal Agreement or the Political Declaration on our future relationship that there will be ramifications on the UK’s security arrangements with the Five Eyes.

Radicalism: Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been prosecuted for online radicalisation in the last five years for which information is available.

Mr Ben Wallace: There is no single offence, either in statute or at common law, of “online radicalisation”. A number of relevant offences may apply including those provided for in the Terrorism Act 2006, Sections 1 and 2.The Home Office publishes the Quarterly Statistics Bulletin on the operation of police powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 and subsequent legislation. This shows the numbers of individuals arrested and charged with terrorist related offences. The most recent bulletin, published on 6 December 2018, covers the period to the end of September 2018

Home Office: Reviews

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) precedent and (b) approval process was for the commissioning of Sir Alex Allan to conduct an independent review of the support provided by Home Office officials to the then Home Secretary, Amber Rudd (i) before, (ii) during and (iii) after the Home Affairs Select Committee oral evidence session on 25 April.

Victoria Atkins: In oral evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee (HC 1713, principally Q.31 ff.; 13 November 2018), my Department’s Permanent Secretary set out the approach to commissioning Sir Alex Allan’s review.

Asylum: Stoke on Trent

Gareth Snell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what correspondence his Department has had from Stoke-on-Trent City Council on partnership working with his Department to accelerate decision making for asylum seekers and other residents who have no recourse to public funds.

Caroline Nokes: The Home Office is unable to find trace of correspondence received from Stoke-on-Trent City Council regarding Partnership working with the Department to accelerate decision making for asylum-seekers and other residents who have no recourse to public funds.

Criminal Investigation: Medical Records

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government has plans to ensure police forces can access the medical records of suspects in (a) rape, (b) transmitted disease, (c) grievous bodily harm with intent and (d) other cases.

Mr Nick Hurd: The general position is that if information is given in circumstances where it is expected that a duty of confidence applies, that information cannot normally be disclosed without the information provider's consent.Three circumstances making disclosure of confidential information lawful are:• where the individual to whom the information relates has consented;• where disclosure is in the public interest; and• where there is a legal duty to do so, for example a court order.So, under the common law, a healthcare provider wishing to disclose a patient's personal information to anyone outside the team providing care should first seek the consent of that patient.There are legal gateways for sharing data and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE and Codes issued under the Act). These include a range of explicit and implied powers enabling the police to seek and share information, in pursuit of their policing purposes, including preventing a crime and protecting persons from harm.

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Crime

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government has any plans to ensure that people sentenced for deliberately transmitting sexual diseases to other people are placed on the sex offenders' register.

Victoria Atkins: There is no specific offence of deliberately transmitting a sexual disease. This behaviour can be charged under Sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.There are no current plans to make persons convicted of these offences subject to notification requirements (commonly referred to as being placed on the Sex Offenders Register).

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Crime

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government has plans to provide police with additional powers police to assist investigations into cases involving the deliberate transmission of sexual diseases.

Mr Nick Hurd: There is no specific offence of deliberately transmitting a sexual disease. This behaviour can be charged under Sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.There are no current plans to make persons convicted of these offences subject to notification requirements (commonly referred to as being placed on the Sex Offenders Register).

Immigrants: Health Services

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has plans to abolish the NHS surcharge for non-EU citizens who pay National Insurance contributions.

Caroline Nokes: There are no plans to abolish the NHS surcharge for non-EU citizens who pay National Insurance contributions. The surcharge is intended to represent a fair and proportionate financial contribution to the NHS by migrants, corresponding with their temporary immigration statusTemporary migrants will not have built up the long-term relationship and contribution to the UK that a permanent resident has built up, and will build up, over the course of their lifetime.It is, therefore, the migrant’s immigra-tion status that determines whether they pay the surcharge, not their tax contributions or their profession. The Government recognises, however, that temporary migrants contribute to the UK economy in a number of ways, including paying income tax and national insurance; these contributions are reflected in the surcharge levels, which are below the average per capi-ta cost to the NHS of treating temporary migrants.The Immigration Health Charge does not apply to migrants granted indefinite leave to remain; those granted this status qualify for free NHS care if they are properly settled in the UK.

Deportation: Human Trafficking

Fiona Onasanya: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his policy is on police forces passing to his Department information on victims of trafficking offences who are in the UK unlawfully in order to facilitate their deportation.

Mr Nick Hurd: The police priority is to protect victims and investigate crime and forces are extremely careful about doing anything to deter victims from reporting crime. Victims of crime should be treated as victims first and foremost. Each case is considered very carefully but there will be instances where police need to exchange information with the Home Office.When individuals are found to have no basis in the UK, Immigration Enforcement’s (IE) immediate priority is to ensure that all vulnerable migrants receive the support and assistance they need regardless of their immigration status.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has in place to assist people with iPhones in (a) accessing and (b) using the settled status registration app.

Caroline Nokes: The application process for the EU Settlement Scheme can be completed on any smartphone, tablet or computer. This includes Apple devices.The ‘EU Exit: Identity Document Check’ app which allows applicants to prove their identity remotely, without sending in their passport or national identity card is currently available only on Android devices. Applicants can, if they wish, use a family member or friend’s Android device to access the app, and complete the rest of the process on their own device.They can also attend a local centre, expected to number at least 50 by the full opening of the scheme by 30 March 2019, at which they can access an Android device loaded with the app. When the scheme is fully open, applicants will also have the option of posting their identity document to the Home Office, to be checked and returned to them quickly.

Home Office: Pay

Gareth Snell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information his Department holds on the rate of remuneration for (a) cleaners, (b) security guards and (c) catering staff in his Department in (i) Greater London and (ii) outside Greater London.

Victoria Atkins: Cleaning services, security guarding services and catering services across the department are mostly outsourced. Suppliers are responsible for setting rates of pay for their staff and rates vary dependent on their age, location and market rates. All suppliers are required to pay, as a minimum, either the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage. The rates set by government for the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage are to rise in April 2019.Security guards who are Home Office employees receive the appropriate spot rate for their grade, plus shift and unsocial hours payments where applicable. All Home Office reward packages are in compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act.

Mukhtar Ablyazov

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will instruct the Serious Fraud Office to investigate the activities of Mukhtar Ablyazov, in relation to international money laundering.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has powers to require the SFO to investigate cases of international money laundering.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Home Office does not comment on particular cases.The SFO is independent, it investigates and prosecutes only the most serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption cases and is superintended by the Attorney General. The decision to commence an investigation is that of the Director alone. Government cannot interfere with the operational independence of investigative or prosecutorial agencies.

Unexplained Wealth Orders: Greater London

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Unexplained Wealth Orders in tackling the illicit arms trade and related financial flows in London.

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential use of Unexplained Wealth Orders against Sudhir Choudhrie and related parties.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Government does not comment on the potential use of Unexplained Wealth Orders against individuals. They are available for use in cases of serious crime including arms trafficking and related money laundering.Where assets are suspected of representing the proceeds of crime, the NCA and others consider all cases for denial and recovery activity across the full range of criminal and civil approaches, including the new tools introduced in the Criminal Finances Act such as Unexplained Wealth Orders. The Home Office continues to work with law enforcement agencies to encourage their use.

Asylum: Children

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many unaccompanied asylum seeking children have been received by Nottinghamshire County Council under the voluntary national transfer scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many unaccompanied asylum seeking children Nottinghamshire County Council has accepted under the voluntary national transfer scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children each local authority area has accepted under the voluntary national transfer scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for the future of the voluntary national transfer scheme for unaccompanied asylum seeking children; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes: Data on the local authorities participating in the National Transfer Scheme (NTS), including the number of transfers in and out of each authority, can be found in the Asylum transparency dataset, last published in November 2018 at; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-transparency-data-november-2018.Since it was launched in July 2016, 790 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children have been transferred via the NTS. This is a significant achievement which has seen many local authorities offer placements for children whose best interests are served by transferring to another local authority. However we recognise that the scheme is not operating as effectively as we would like. We will continue to engage with local authorities across the country to encourage further offers and consider options in how best to share the burden.

Police: Leave

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information his Department holds on police forces cancelling rest days for the after 29 March 2019 as part of contingency plans for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the minimum staffing levels required by police forces after 29 March 2019 in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Mr Nick Hurd: Decisions on arrangements for police rest days and the use and deployment of resources are matters for operational policing and are the responsibility of Chief Constables and not the Home Office.

Extradition

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what contingency plans his Department has made to ensure that people wanted by the UK criminal justice system can be extradited to the UK in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Mr Nick Hurd: In a No Deal scenario and the absence of access to the European Arrest Warrant, the UK will operate the European Convention on Extradition with EU Member States.

Asylum

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum cases remain unresolved after 52 weeks.

Caroline Nokes: We are committed to ensuring that asylum claims are considered without unnecessary delay, to ensure that those who need protection are granted as soon as possible and can start to integrate and rebuild their lives, including those granted at appeal.Information regarding the number of asylum claims which remain unresolved after 52 weeks, is routinely published as part of the Government’s Transparency agenda. The latest release of which can be found at can be found at table Asy_11: Age of Asylum Initial Decision Work In Progress - applications made from 1st Oct 2006 at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-transparency-data-november-2018.This table shows the number of asylum cases outstanding after 12 months for both straightforward and non-straightforward cases as at Quarter 3, 2018.

Immigrants: Detainees

Ms Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of immigration detainees entered the immigration detention estate for more than 24 hours in Quarter 3 of 2018 as a result of prior decisions to detain those detainees.

Ms Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of immigration detainees who are (a) foreign national offenders (b) other detainees had been in immigration detention for (i) 28 days or fewer and (ii) over 28 days at the end of quarter 3 of 2018.

Ms Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of immigration detainees who are (a) foreign national offenders (b) other detainees had been in immigration detention for (i) 28 days or fewer and (ii) over 28 days at the end of quarter 2 of 2018.

Caroline Nokes: Providing the information requested would require a manual check of individual records which could only be done at disproportionate cost.The Home Office publishes the number of Foreign National Offenders currently detained. The data can be found in the quarterly Immigration Enforcement Transparency Data. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-enforcement-data-november-2018The Home Office also publishes data on immigration detention, including the length of detention of those leaving detention (table dt_06_q) and the length of detention of those in detention at the end of each quarter (table dt_11_q). The data can be found in the detention tables in the latest Immigration Statistics, year ending September 2018, quarterly release.I will be writing to the Right Honourable Lady separately concerning this as it links to a request she has made as chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many EU citizens have already paid £65 to apply for Settled Status and will be refunded.

Caroline Nokes: We have received over 30,000 applications over the two private beta test phases. Anyone who has applied already, or who applies and pays a fee during the test phases, will have their fee refunded.The Home Office will set out full details in due course.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether EU citizens that do not have five years continual residency who are (a) married to a UK citizen and (b) have other long periods of residency will be entitled to settled status after the UK leaves the EU.

Caroline Nokes: All EU citizens who have completed five years’ continuous residence in the UK at any point will be eligible to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. This can be satisfied by any such period of time during an applicant’s life in the UK rather than the most recent five years, provided it began before 31 December 2020. However, the applicant must not have been absent from the UK for more than five consecutive years since that period ended.All other resident EU citizens, including those who are married to UK nationals, will be eligible to apply for pre-settled status to enable them to remain in the UK to complete the five years’ continuous residence required to be eligible for settled status.

Department for International Development

Pakistan: Ethnic Groups

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to help reform the education curricula in Pakistan to remove derogatory references to Ahmadis and other minorities.

Alistair Burt: Working with the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) DFID has supported improvements to primary English, Urdu, mathematics and general knowledge textbooks. In Punjab DFID has also supported the government to revise the primary curriculum in core subjects. HMG regularly raises freedom of religious belief issues at the highest levels with Pakistan government counterparts. DFID’s investments in education in Punjab and KP have supported 10 million primary and nearly 6 million secondary children.

Education: Females

Giles Watling: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress her Department has made on improving girls’ access to education throughout the world.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK is a global leader on girls’ education and DFID spearheads the UK Governments global campaign, Leave No Girl Behind, which promotes 12 years of quality education and learning for all girls. Between 2015 and 2018, UKAid provided by DFID has supported 5.6 million girls to gain a decent education. Through our investment in this area, we are supporting the most marginalised girls to attend school, learn whilst they are there, and help ensure the critical transition from primary to secondary education. The UK is also leading by example, building evidence of what works in DFID’s flagship Girls’ Education Challenge. Our largest single programme anywhere, reaching 18 countries and up to 1.5 million girls. In the coming months it will reach 250,000 highly marginalised girls who have never attended or dropped out of school due to poverty, motherhood, disability or conflict.

Kenya: Abortion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2018 to Question 173969, whether she now has the breakdown of the proportion of her Department's funding for family planning in Kenya which will be allocated to abortion provision; and what estimate she has made of the number of abortion procedures funded by previous DFID programmes in that country.

Harriett Baldwin: The Delivering Sustainable and Equitable Increases in Family Planning in Kenya programme will support increased access to modern family planning services. Abortion services will be supported within the parameters set out in the Kenyan Constitution. The programme is still under procurement and therefore no further information on budget breakdowns is available at this time. DFID takes an integrated approach to programming on sexual and reproductive health and rights - for example providing a woman with holistic care for gender-based violence, HIV, counselling, post-abortion care and information on family planning. As these services are integrated, we do not have disaggregated figures for previous programmes in Kenya solely relating to safe abortion procedures.

Developing Countries: Abortion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Answer of 10 December 2018 to Question 199384 on developing countries: abortion, which states that DFID does not disaggregate figures solely relating to safe abortion procedures and the Answer of 21 December 2017 to Question 119743 on Marie Stopes International, which states that DFID has robust monitoring procedures, if she will request information from Marie Stopes International on the number of abortions funded by her Department in 2017.

Alistair Burt: DFID takes an integrated approach to our programming on sexual and reproductive health and rights in order to meet a wide range of women’s reproductive health needs. Because these services are integrated, it is not possible to disaggregate figures solely relating to safe abortion procedure. This principle applies to programmes delivered by all partners with DFID funding, including Marie Stopes International, and therefore this information is not available. The aim of DFID’s work on sexual and reproductive health and rights is to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions, increase the use of voluntary family planning, and give women control over their own bodies and lives. DFID’s robust monitoring and evaluation procedures vary by project and are tailored in order to demonstrate the project is meeting its aims.

Developing Countries: Abortion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Answer of 10 December 2018 to Question 199384 on developing countries: abortion, which states that DFID does not disaggregate figures solely relating to safe abortion procedures and the Answer of 21 December 2017 to Question 119743 on Marie Stopes International, which states that DFID has robust monitoring procedures, what steps she is taking to ensure accountability of UK funding to Kenya for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Harriett Baldwin: DFID Kenya has in place a number of measures to ensure the accountability of all UK aid. For the new £36m (2019-2024) Delivering Sustainable and Equitable Increases in Family Planning in Kenya programme, these will include due diligence of all primary implementing partners, regular spot checks, a robust monitoring and evaluation system which includes beneficiary feedback and annual project reviews. Partners will also be required to submit annual audit reports and regular progress and financial reports. Meetings will be held on at least a quarterly basis with implementing partners to track performance, to discuss risks to delivery and how they are working with downstream partners to ensure they also comply with DFID’s accountability requirements.

Zimbabwe: Bilateral Aid

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure  that the Government of Zimbabwe distributes UK bilateral aid fairly through civic and representative community organisations.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK Government does not channel any UK bilateral aid through the Government of Zimbabwe. The UK, through the Department for International Development in Zimbabwe, provides extensive financial and technical assistance to a wide range of civil society organisations in Zimbabwe. We do not publicise our partners to avoid putting them at risk. Our funding supports Zimbabwean citizens to hold the state to account in its respect for human rights and democratic principles.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Legal Costs

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the highest hourly rate paid for legal advice was by (a) his Department and (b) each of his Department's arms length bodies in 2018.

David Mundell: The Office of the Advocate General provides any necessary legal advice to the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland and its arms-length bodies.

Scotland Office: Pay

Gareth Snell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what information his Department holds on the rate of remuneration for (a) cleaners, (b) security guards and (c) catering staff in his Department in (i) Greater London and (ii) outside Greater London.

David Mundell: The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland has an office in both Edinburgh and London.It has contracts in place for both Security and Cleaning Services at its Edinburgh office. Specific rates of pay are a matter for each individual contractor, as the employer, but assurances are provided to ensure full compliance with the requirements of the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage. Both suppliers pay the National Living Wage or above.The London office is leased from the Government Property Agency, who are responsible for the management of the building and delivery of support services. Information on the rates of pay paid to Security and Cleaning staff is not held by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland.The Office has no catering staff in either location.

Exports: Scotland

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the total value of exports of goods and services from Scotland under WTO rules was in the last year for which figures are available.

David Mundell: Official figures show that total international and rest of the UK exports in 2016 (excluding oil and gas) were estimated at £75.6 billion. Exports to the rest of the UK accounted for 61 per cent of this total (or £45.8bn) and international exports accounted for 39 per cent (or £29.8bn). Both the European Union (EU) and the individual EU countries are members of the WTO. The EU has a bilateral trade and investment relationship with a great number of countries, including Scotland’s top international export destination valued at £4.8bn, the USA.

Cabinet Office

Interserve

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many summary risk assessments the Crown Representative to Interserve has produced in the last 12 months.

Oliver Dowden: It is the responsibility of contracting authorities to carry out appropriate due diligence checks on potential suppliers when they are contracting out, to ensure that those suppliers are able to deliver the public services for which they are contracted. The Strategic Supplier Risk Management Policy is not of itself relevant to the conduct of procurement activities. If contracting authorities approach Cabinet Office to request advice on their procurements, however, Cabinet Office provides whatever assistance they are able to.

Interserve

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether information provided in the summary risk assessments produced by Crown Representatives are made available to public sector bodies considering procuring with strategic suppliers.

Oliver Dowden: It is the responsibility of contracting authorities to carry out appropriate due diligence checks on potential suppliers when they are contracting out, to ensure that those suppliers are able to deliver the public services for which they are contracted. The Strategic Supplier Risk Management Policy is not of itself relevant to the conduct of procurement activities. If contracting authorities approach Cabinet Office to request advice on their procurements, however, Cabinet Office provides whatever assistance they are able to.

Cabinet Office: Brexit

Layla Moran: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of ministerial visits by his Department to discuss the withdrawal agreement from 3 to 10 December; and if he will place the itineraries of those visits in the Library before the Christmas recess.

Mr David Lidington: The Ministerial Code is clear that Ministers must always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Details of Ministers’ travel overseas are published quarterly and are made available on GOV.UK. The details include the purpose of the trip and the total cost for the Minister. While destinations and costs for travel internal to the UK are not part of the quarterly transparency returns, details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations and the purpose of the meeting are published quarterly and are made available on GOV.UK. This naturally includes all meetings with external organisations that take place while a Minister is travelling within the UK.

Interserve

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what meetings Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of Interserve in 2018.

Oliver Dowden: Engagement with Strategic Suppliers is led by the Markets and Suppliers team in the Government Commercial Function. The Strategic Partnering Programme in the Cabinet Office Markets and Suppliers team meets regularly with all strategic suppliers, and may increase or decrease frequency depending on the issues at the time.

Interserve

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2018 to Question 201666, how many meetings the Cabinet Office Markets and Suppliers team have had with representatives of Interserve plc in 2018.

Oliver Dowden: Engagement with Strategic Suppliers is led by the Markets and Suppliers team in the Government Commercial Function. The Strategic Partnering Programme in the Cabinet Office Markets and Suppliers team meets regularly with all strategic suppliers, and may increase or decrease frequency depending on the issues at the time.

Prosperity Fund

Paul Girvan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons money is supplied to (a) the USA, (b) Japan and (c) other highly developed nations through the Prosperity Fund.

Mr David Lidington: The Prosperity Fund has a non-aid component to help communicate and generate opportunities for UK businesses in both developed and emerging markets. Activities supported include business roadshows and inward investment visits. Examples of this are a showcase event in Brazil that helped UK energy companies secure contracts worth over £50million, and promotional activities in the USA that contributed to a £56million export win.

Cabinet Office: Billing

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has received any complaints on not paying invoices within the 30 day period required by statutory guidance.

Oliver Dowden: The Cabinet Office does not hold this information centrally.

Cybercrime

Jo Platt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2018 to Question 208424 on Cybercrime, whether he has held any meetings with his European counterparts on the UK's continued partnership with the EU on cyber-related matters in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Mr David Lidington: Ministers across government hold different responsibilities within the UK's National Cyber Security Strategy. They engage with their European counterparts on a wide range of cyber related issues including the UK's partnership with EU.

Public Sector: Computer Software

Jo Platt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many public sector computers are operating the Windows 7 operating system; and what preparations he has made for the forthcoming conclusion of Windows support for that system.

Oliver Dowden: The Government Digital Service (GDS) provides government departments with guidance on selecting technology through the Technology Code of Practice. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/technology-code-of-practice/technology-code-of-practice   Individual technology choices and volumes purchased rest with individual departments. As such, GDS does not hold information on how many government computers currently operate with Windows 7 or more widely in the public sector.Departments are making their own preparation plans for the conclusion of Windows 7 support in 2020.

Investigatory Powers Commissioner: Annual Reports

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the 2017 Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner has been submitted to the Prime Minister.

Mr David Lidington: The Prime Minister has seen the 2017 Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and has agreed that it will be published in due course.

Investigatory Powers Commissioner: Annual Reports

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Prime Minister plans to publish the 2017 Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.

Mr David Lidington: The Prime Minister has seen the 2017 Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and has agreed that it will be published in due course.

Treasury

Football Pools: Excise Duties

Chris Stephens: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department have made an assessment of the potential effect on the betting industry of the effect of reducing the Pools Duty to 10 per cent; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: Pool Betting Duty raises around £4m in revenue for the Exchequer per annum. Reducing it to 10% is likely to have a negligible effect on the betting industry, but could put revenue at risk particularly through incentivising switching of products from other forms of bets to pooled bets.

Treasury: Pay

Gareth Snell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on the rate of remuneration for (a) cleaners, (b) security guards and (c) catering staff in his Department in (i) Greater London and (ii) outside Greater London.

Robert Jenrick: The cleaning, security and catering service at HM Treasury is provided through a service contract, let by the landlord for 1 Horse Guards Road (Exchequer Partnership). HM Treasury does not hold information on remuneration for cleaners, security guards or catering staff.

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties

Bambos Charalambous: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the change in alcohol consumption as a result of alcohol duty freezes and reductions since 2013.

Robert Jenrick: HMRC publishes a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on gov.uk explaining the impact of the policy change, each time alcohol duty rates are amended. The most recent TIIN published at Autumn Budget 2018 can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/increase-in-alcohol-duty-rates/alcohol-duty-uprating

National Productivity Investment Fund

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the National Productivity Investment Fund has been allocated to (a) housing, (b) research and development, (c) economic infrastructure and (d) skills since its inception.

Elizabeth Truss: The Government established the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) to increase capital spending for areas critical for improving productivity. The NPIF is now set to deliver £37bn of high-value investment to 2023/24 in economic infrastructure, R&D, and housing. The Chancellor has set out how over £24bn of the NPIF will be allocated. This includes:£740m for digital infrastructure, to mobilise the market to develop full-fibre broadband networks and 5G capacity;£7bn extra for R&D by 2021-22 – the largest increase for 40 years – including £750m for skills and talent (PhDs and fellowships), demonstrating progress towards the government’s ambition of increasing the R&D intensity of the economy to 2.4% of GDP by 2027;£6.5bn for transport, including a £2.5bn Transforming Cities Fund, designed to drive productivity by improving intra-city transport and reducing congestion;£13bn for housing, to build more homes in high demand locations so that people can live near the best job opportunities for them.

Revenue and Customs: Peterlee

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Answer of 17 January 2019 to Question 208357, for what reasons his Department delayed the closure of the HMRC office in Peterlee.

Mel Stride: HMRC has decided to keep its office in Peterlee, Emerald Court, open until 2022-23 in order to respond to changing priorities. HMRC now expects that there will be more people in the Department in 2021 than it anticipated when its location plans were originally announced in 2015. This is due to the recruitment of people into Customer Services, extra staff to support new compliance work, the need for more operational staff to support EU Exit work and the change to the Department for Work and Pensions’ approach to rolling out Universal Credit, all resulting in more staff staying with HMRC. There are no current plans to retain any more other offices for longer, other than those which HMRC had previously announced.

Taxation: Self-assessment

Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Simple Assessment tax demands his Department has issued in the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the letter setting out a person's tax liability under the Simple Assessment procedure includes an address to which a cheque can be sent in settlement of that liability.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department has taken to ensure people who are not online are able to process communications on tax liabilities under the Simple Assessment procedure.

Mel Stride: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost. The calculation letter only includes an address for cheque payments where the calculation goes to a customer who is ineligible to access a Personal Tax Account. Those customers who can access a Personal Tax Account can pay online. Customers receive paper copies of their Simple Assessment regardless of the digital preference. While customers can pay online using the Personal Tax Account, they can also choose alternatives such as telephone banking, BACs or cheque payments.

Taxation: Self-assessment

Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people aged (a) over 65, (b) over 70, (c) over 75, (d) over 80, (e) over 85 and (f) over 90 have been issued with a Simple Assessment of their tax liability in the last 12 months.

Mel Stride: HMRC does not currently count the number of Simple Assessment tax demands issued as the number is not needed for management or reporting purposes. HMRC believe that the number is well over 250,000 for the requested period.

Taxation: Self-assessment

Maria Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will waive any fines incurred by elderly people assessed as having a liability under the simple assessment tax liability procedure who have difficulty in dealing with HMRC online.

Mel Stride: Customers who are late in paying a tax liability assessed under Simple Assessment are not presently issued with a penalty. Customers who have difficulty in dealing with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) online can ask for help from HMRC by phone or by post. Alternatively they can appoint someone to deal with HMRC on their behalf.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Culture: St Helens

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what funding his Department has allocated to arts and culture projects in St Helens Council in each of the last five years.

Michael Ellis: As outlined in the table, since April 2013, Arts Council England has invested over £1 million in arts and culture projects in St Helens North including, National Lottery Grants for the Arts, Project Grants and through Music Education Hubs. St Helens North2013/20142014/20152015/20162016/20172017/2018Grants For The Arts/Project Grants£ 27,170£ 14,682£ 40,324£10,000£29,800Music Education Hubs£ 196,771£ 198,850£ 258,548£255,889£252,312Total£ 223,941£ 213,532£ 298,872£265,889£282,112

Swimming Pools: North West

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many public swimming pools were closed in the North West in each of the last 10 years.

Mims Davies: Information on the number of publicly owned indoor and outdoor swimming pools that have closed and opened in each of the last 10 years is available via Sport England’s Active Places Power database which can be accessed here: https://www.activeplacespower.com/ Between 2017 and 2021 Sport England is investing £12.16 million in Swim England to get more people swimming, and £30 million through its Strategic Facilities Fund to construct 24 new state of the art leisure facilities which include swimming pools. We have also set up an implementation group to explore the recommendations from the school swimming report published last year, including how we can work with local authorities and private operators to make better use of facilities.

Tech City UK: Ethnic Groups and Females

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2018 to Question 193467 on Tech City UK: Ethnic Groups and Females, how many BAME members are on the Executive team of Tech City; and what proportion of the technical roles within the organisation are held by women.

Margot James: Tech Nation (formerly Tech City UK) is a private sector organisation that receives grant funding from DCMS. There are currently 5 members of the executive team. 40% are women, 60% male and there are no BAME members. There are 3 technical roles at Tech Nation. Of these, 66% are female, 33% male, 33% BAME.

Tech City UK: Females

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of the business founders receiving funds from Tech City were female in each of the last five years.

Margot James: Tech Nation (formerly Tech City UK) is a private sector organisation that receives grant funding from DCMS. While Tech Nation does not directly fund tech start-ups, they do run programmes such as Founders Network, Rising Stars, Upscale, and Future Fifty, that help start-ups access funding. Across these programmes, 35% of the founders are women and 65% men.

Department for International Trade

Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Export Controls

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether an Aardvark JSFU is a controlled good.

Graham Stuart: The Aardvark JSFU mine clearance vehicle is not a controlled item.

Trade Remedies: Trade Unions

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether trade unions will be defined as interested parties in trade remedies investigations once the UK has an independent trade policy.

George Hollingbery: The UK trade remedies system will adopt the WTO definition of interested parties, that is: Producers of the like goods in the UKAn overseas exporter or UK importer of the goods subject to investigationTrade or business associations of such producers, exporters or importersThe government of the exporting country of the goods under investigation Other parties who may have an interest in the case, such as Trade Unions, will be able to participate as contributors.

Women and Equalities

Access to Elected Office for Disabled People Fund

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what progress her Department has made on the consultation on a renewed access to elected office fund.

Victoria Atkins: The Government believes that political parties have the prime responsibility for supporting their disabled candidates. We are undertaking a programme of work to help political parties to better support disabled candidates. As part of this my officials have met with political parties and disability organisations and continue this engagement. The Access to Elected Office Fund has been closed since 2015. We have launched the EnAble Fund for Elected Office, which is a £250,000 commitment to support disabled candidates, primarily for the forthcoming local elections in May. The fund will help cover disability-related expenses people might face when seeking elected office.

Religion: Community Relations

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how much funding her Department has allocated to interfaith projects in each of the last three years.

Victoria Atkins: The Government Equalities Office has not allocated any funding to interfaith projects during the last three years.